Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, has tasked senior commanders and senior military leaders on innovative ideas and being a catalyst for change within the Nigerian Army.
He said this on Tuesday in Enugu while declaring open the 2024 First Senior Command and Leadership Seminar being held in 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu.
The five days seminar with the theme: “Enhancing Operational Level Command and Leadership within a Joint Environment,“ will run from March 4 to March 8.
The COAS, represented by the Commander of Training and Doctrine Command, Maj.-Gen. Kelvin Aligbe, said that senior commanders and leaders must endeavour to lead by positive examples and be in the fore-front of activities within their formations and establishments.
The army boss noted that the seminar was designed to equip senior commanders and senior military leaders with requisite skills and competence to better preserve and protect the cherished image of the Nigerian Army.
Lagbaja said that it would provide opportunities to drive home his Command Philosophy, draw lessons and share experiences as well as sensitise field commanders on the need to manifestly uphold human right principles in their various commands.
According to him, the Nigerian Army is facing a highly complex security environment, even as modern warfare is no longer fought on the battlefield alone.
“The hybrid nature of conflicts; information and cyber warfare, increasing use of drones and robotics; and other skill-based assets have brought a paradigm shift to the battlefield.
“Therefore, we must all get abreast with the changes as we collectively focus on developing capabilities to deal with these emerging security issues and build a formidable future Force,” he said.
The COAS appreciated the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Tinubu, for providing the visionary leadership and support to Nigerian Army programmes and projects.
He thanked the facilitators and retired senior officers that are acting as resource persons in the seminar, while urging participants to take advantage of the seminar to gain wealth of learning and experience.
In a welcome address, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, the General Officer Commanding of 82 Division, said that the theme of the seminar was apt considering the security challenges facing the country.
Dada also commended the COAS for his visionary leadership and support to the Division and its various formations and establishments.
“We appreciate the COAS for providing the needed financial support and logistics for hosting this seminar and other numerous support to the Division,” he said.
The participants for the seminar are drawn from Nigerian Army formations, establishments, schools and units within the South-East, South-South and South-West geo-political zones of the country.
