The Nigerian Army has trained senior non-commissioned officers of the 8 Division and Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yamma, on leadership, discipline and professionalism to strengthen their operational effectiveness amid evolving security challenges.
The five-day Leadership Awareness and Development Course was designed to equip the officers with contemporary leadership skills to improve decision-making, crisis management and coordination during joint security operations.
The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 8 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.
The statement said the General Officer Commanding, 8 Division, and Commander, Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yamma, Major General Bemgba Koughna, stated in his remarks at the headquarters of the Division in Sokoto that the training aligned with the Chief of Army Staff’s command philosophy of building a professional, adaptable and combat-ready force.
Koughna, represented by the Chief of Staff, Headquarters 8 Division, Brigadier General Ibrahim Gambari, said the philosophy was aimed at transforming the Nigerian Army into “a professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force” capable of effectively discharging its constitutional responsibilities in a joint and multi-agency environment.
He described the course as a strategic intervention to strengthen the leadership capacity of senior non-commissioned officers and improve their performance in the discharge of their duties.
According to him, the training would enable participants to identify leadership gaps, enhance service delivery and improve cooperation among security agencies.
He urged the officers to apply the knowledge acquired during the programme to their respective units, stressing that effective leadership, discipline and professionalism were essential to operational success.
“The knowledge gained from this course should translate into improved leadership, discipline and professionalism in your various units,” he said.
The GOC also warned the participants against the misuse of social media, emphasising the need for responsible conduct and effective communication in military operations.
He further stressed that cooperation and coordination among security agencies were critical to achieving success in joint operations.
In his remarks, the Director-General of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Major General James Gwaza Khalifa Myam (retd.), represented by Major General Ifiok Obot (retd.), said the programme was specifically designed to address the demands of combat leadership.
He noted that senior non-commissioned officers occupied critical positions in military operations and were expected to demonstrate discipline, competence and commitment, particularly when confronted with difficult operational situations.
Myam said the course sought to improve participants’ creativity, emotional intelligence, critical thinking and other contemporary leadership skills needed to navigate complex security environments.
“These skills are essential to enable personnel to adapt to and confront the evolving security challenges facing the nation,” he said.
He added that the training would challenge participants to reconsider existing assumptions, broaden their perspectives and develop better approaches to leadership and operational decision-making.
“The course is designed to challenge your assumptions, broaden your perspectives and strengthen your capacity to address complex operational situations,” he said.
The five-day programme featured sessions on leadership frameworks, inter-agency collaboration and cooperation, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, social media misuse and its implications, leadership during crises and war, as well as the Constitution, Armed Forces Act and military justice system.
The sessions were facilitated by resource persons, including Major General Ifiok Obot (retd.), Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (retd.), Professor Okey Ikechukwu, Mrs Temitope Aiyedogbon and Colonel Cyril Oforumazi.
The course was organised by the Nigerian Army Resource Centre for senior non-commissioned officers serving under the 8 Division and Sector 2, Operation Fansan Yamma, as part of efforts to strengthen military leadership, promote professionalism and improve operational effectiveness.