Army Establishes New Formations as COAS Charges Infantry Graduates on Professionalism
Army Establishes New Formations as COAS Charges Infantry Graduates on Professionalism
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has charged soldiers graduating from the Nigerian Army’s Advanced Infantry Training Programme to uphold professionalism, discipline and operational excellence as they assume responsibilities in newly established divisions, formations and units.
Shaibu gave the charge on Friday at the graduation ceremony of Exercise RESTORE HOPE X, held at the Nigerian Army Training Centre, Kachia, Kaduna State.
The Army Chief described the exercise as the flagship of the Nigerian Army’s post-basic infantry training programme, designed to enhance combat proficiency, strengthen the warrior ethos and prepare personnel for the complexities of contemporary military operations.
He said the graduation came at a critical stage in the ongoing transformation of the Nigerian Army, which is implementing a major force expansion and capability enhancement programme.
According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the restructuring of the Nigerian Army, leading to the establishment of additional divisions, formations and units aimed at optimising force distribution and improving the military’s responsiveness to emerging security threats.
Shaibu explained that many of the soldiers graduating from the programme would form the nucleus of the newly established formations and would be expected to translate their specialised training into improved operational effectiveness.
He urged the graduands to justify the investment in their training by demonstrating sound judgment, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to mission accomplishment.
The COAS also tasked them to maintain high levels of physical fitness, mental alertness and technological proficiency while adapting continuously to emerging security threats.
He further charged the soldiers to embrace innovation and uphold discipline, respect for the rule of law and human rights, as well as strict adherence to the rules of engagement throughout their careers.
Shaibu expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his continued support for the Nigerian Army’s operational, training and administrative requirements.
He said the President’s strategic guidance and sustained investment had contributed significantly to the ongoing transformation and expansion of the Army.
The Army Chief stressed that sustained investment in realistic and mission-oriented training remained essential to developing a highly skilled fighting force capable of delivering decisive results across various theatres of operation.
Earlier, the Chief of Training (Army), Maj. Gen. Valentine Okoro, described Exercise RESTORE HOPE X as a critical component of the Nigerian Army’s training architecture.
Okoro said the programme had consistently produced highly motivated and combat-ready soldiers who had distinguished themselves across various operational theatres.
He noted that the training exposed participants to realistic operational scenarios, tactical operations, marksmanship, field craft, combat endurance, leadership development and counter-insurgency operations.
According to him, the programme also enhanced the trainees’ confidence, decision-making capabilities and battlefield competence.
Okoro added that Exercise RESTORE HOPE X had strengthened institutional capacity by standardising post-basic infantry training, improving instructional methodologies and promoting continuous development across the Army’s training establishments.
By TimesNG