By Saminu Ibrahim
The Nigerian Army has organised a five-day Leadership Awareness and Development Course for senior non-commissioned officers of the 8 Division and Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, to strengthen their leadership capacity, efficiency and professionalism.
SINL Nigeria Online reports that the course was designed to equip participants with contemporary leadership skills to enhance operational effectiveness and improve their ability to respond to evolving security challenges.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 8 Division, and Commander, Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Bemgba Koughna, stated this during the programme.
Koughna, represented by the Chief of Staff, Headquarters 8 Division, Brigadier General Ibrahim Gambari, welcomed the participants and commended the Nigerian Army Resource Centre for facilitating the training.
He said the programme aligned with 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 in a joint and multi-agency environment.
The GOC described the course as a strategic intervention aimed at equipping senior non-commissioned officers with the knowledge and skills required to improve their performance and service delivery.
He noted that the training would also deepen participants’ understanding of their leadership responsibilities and address existing gaps, particularly in joint and inter-agency operations.
Koughna urged the participants to pay close attention to the sessions and apply the knowledge acquired to promote effective leadership, discipline and professionalism within the ranks.
He also cautioned them against the misuse of social media, stressing the importance of effective coordination and cooperation in joint military operations.
In his remarks, the Director-General of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Major General James Gwaza Khalifa Myam (rtd.), said the course was specifically designed to address the demands of combat leadership, which places significant responsibilities on senior non-commissioned officers.
Myam, represented by Major General Ifiok Obot (rtd.), said the nature of combat leadership required a high level of discipline, competence and commitment from military personnel.
He explained that the programme was also intended to enhance creativity, emotional intelligence, critical thinking and other contemporary leadership skills among Nigerian Army and paramilitary personnel.
According to him, the training would help participants adapt to emerging security threats, challenge existing assumptions, broaden their perspectives and strengthen their leadership capabilities.
Topics covered during the course included leadership framework, inter-agency collaboration and cooperation, emotional intelligence and critical thinking, social media misuse and its implications, leadership in crisis and war, the Constitution, the Armed Forces Act and the military justice system.
Resource persons included Major General Ifiok Obot (rtd.), Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd.), Professor Okey Ikechukwu, Mrs Temitope Aiyedogbon and Colonel Cyril Oforumazi.
