CoAS, Shaibu. Photo: File
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu has charged soldiers and men of the Army 6 Division to remain focused and resilient especially in traumatic situations resulting from their operations.
Shaibu gave the charge at the opening of a three-day seminar on ‘Transformational Leadership, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Drugs/Substance Abuse’, organised by the Army Headquarters Department of Army Transformation and Innovation held at the 6 Division Nigerian Army Barracks in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Wednesday.
The COAS who was represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, 6 Division Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Everest Okoro, said the army recognises that soldiers work in volatile environment and that their operations are more often than not traumatic, stressful and involving psychological strain, demanding physical readiness, mental resilience and sound judgement.
He said the seminar seeks to strengthen trust, inspire soldiers towards a shared vision and build resilience to enable them to respond effectively to operational stressors.
The army chief noted that these efforts are essential as troops continue to confront asymmetric security threats, including terrorism, insurgency, militancy, banditry, sea piracy and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
Shaibu further said the programme aims to sensitize soldiers on issues relevant to the transformation of their fighting and supporting forces into disciplined, resilient and combat-ready troops.
“The Nigerian Army operates in a security environment shaped by volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous dynamics, which expose our troops to intense operational pressure and psychological strain. These conditions demand physical readiness, mental resilience, sound judgement and strength of character.
“Accordingly, the programme has been structured to examine operational effectiveness in a joint environment through the roles of regimentation and junior leadership, alongside the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Drugs/Substance Abuse on operational performance.
“The inclusion of an interactive session with families further recognises the important roles of spouses in sustaining personnel wellbeing and contributing to operational success, ” Shaibu said.
He said the seminar aligns with his vision of building a professional, adaptive, resilient and combat-ready Nigerian Army.
The Army Chief advised that deliberations at the seminar should deepen the soldiers understanding of how transformational leadership, sound regimentation and effective junior leadership can strengthen unit cohesion, operational effectiveness and mission success.
Soldiers, Shaibu remain the army’s most critical combat capability, hence the need to safeguard their psychological wellbeing while recognising the pressures associated with prolonged operational commitments; even as he reiterated his commitment to the wellbeing and professional attention of troops.
“The participation of our troops in numerous counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency and other internal security operations exposes them to experiences that may affect their mental health and operational functioning.
“In line with the Nigerian Army’s “Soldiers First” culture, I remain committed to ensuring that our soldiers receive adequate care, sustained support and appropriate professional attention.
“This commitment underscores the inclusion of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as a key component of this seminar. I therefore expect the sessions to promote early recognition, timely referral and collective responsibility in safeguarding mental wellbeing, “he added.
The COAS lauded President Bola Tinubu’s support for the army while assuring the unalloyed loyalty of the soldiers to the Nigerian Constitution.
In his address, the Chief of Army Transformation and Innovation, Maj. Gen. Peter Okoye, noted that the seminar has been designed to align closely with the Command Philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff, which he said seeks to advance the transformation of the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of decisively discharging its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.
Represented by the deputy chief of Army Transformation/Innovation-Transformation and Emerging Technology, Maj. Gen. Ime Bassey, the army innovation chief said despite the successes recorded in training and operations, it was important to maintain the mental health of the troops.
He stated, “This philosophy underscores the fact that the strength of the Nigerian Army lies not only in its equipment and capabilities but also in the resilience, discipline and mental readiness of its personnel.
“As we continue to record successes in training and operations, it is imperative that we sustain and strengthen the leadership quality and mental health of personnel to enhance their cohesion and operational efficiency.”
Okoye charged participants to make best use of the opportunities and various sessions of the seminar to enrich their knowledge and prepare themselves for the realities of their operational environment.