By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Nigerian Army has concluded a five-day Leadership Awareness and Development Course for Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) of 8 Division and Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA.
The course, facilitated by the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), was designed to equip participants with contemporary leadership skills required to navigate the complexities of modern warfare and joint operations.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division and Commander Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Bemgba Koughna, said the training was a strategic intervention aimed at enhancing professionalism within the ranks.
The GOC, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Headquarters 8 Division, Brigadier General Ibrahim Gambari, stated that the course directly reflects the Chief of Army Staff’s Command Philosophy of transforming the Nigerian Army into “a professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of decisively discharging its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.”
According to him, the training will help participants better understand their responsibilities as leaders, address identified gaps in the system and improve inter-agency collaboration in the theatre of operations.
General Koughna charged the participants to pay rapt attention and apply the knowledge gained to strengthen leadership, discipline and regimentation in their respective units. He also warned against the indiscriminate use of social media, which he said has serious security and disciplinary implications.
In his inaugural remarks, the Director General of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Major General James Gwaza Khalifa Myam (rtd), said the programme was specially tailored to address the heavy burden of combat leadership placed on SNCOs.
The DG, who was represented by Major General Ifiok Obot (rtd), explained that effective combat leadership demands unmatched discipline, competence, commitment and emotional intelligence.
He noted that the course was structured to enhance creativity, critical thinking, emotional intelligence and other modern leadership competencies required to adapt to evolving security threats confronting the nation.
“The course will challenge assumptions, broaden perspectives and enhance leadership capabilities of participants,” he said.
The intensive training covered a wide range of modules including Leadership Framework in the Nigerian Army, Inter-Agency Collaboration and Cooperation, Emotional Intelligence and Critical Thinking for Leaders, Social Media Misuse and its Implications for National Security, Leadership in Crisis and War, as well as The Constitution, Armed Forces Act and the Military Justice System.
Facilitators and resource persons drawn from the military and academia included Major General Ifiok Obot (rtd), Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd), Professor Okey Ikechukwu, Mrs Temitope Aiyedogbon and Colonel Cyril Oforumazi.
