The Nigerian Army has organised a five-day Leadership Awareness and Development Course for senior non-commissioned officers of 8 Division and Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, to enhance their leadership skills, operational efficiency and professionalism.
The course was designed to equip the participants with contemporary leadership competencies to improve their performance, strengthen discipline and promote effective collaboration in joint and inter-agency operations.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 8 Division, and Commander, Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Bemgba Koughna, stated this at the opening of the programme.
Koughna, who was 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 course aligned with the Command Philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff, which seeks to transform 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.
According to him, the training represents a strategic intervention aimed at equipping senior non-commissioned officers with the requisite knowledge and skills to improve leadership effectiveness and service delivery.
He noted that the programme would also help participants gain a better understanding of their leadership responsibilities while identifying and addressing existing gaps in the military system, particularly in joint and inter-agency operations.
The GOC urged the participants to take the course seriously and apply the knowledge acquired to strengthen leadership, discipline and professionalism within the ranks.
He also cautioned them against the misuse of social media, stressing the importance of responsible conduct, effective coordination and cooperation in joint operations.
In his remarks at the inauguration, 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 course was specifically designed to address the demands of combat leadership.
He explained that senior non-commissioned officers occupy critical positions in the military leadership structure, where their responsibilities require exceptional discipline, competence and commitment.
The representative of the Director-General added that the programme was intended to strengthen creativity, emotional intelligence, critical thinking and other contemporary leadership skills among Nigerian Army and paramilitary personnel.
He said these competencies were essential for adapting to and effectively confronting Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
According to him, the course would challenge participants’ assumptions, broaden their perspectives and improve their ability to make sound decisions in complex operational environments.
Topics covered during the five-day programme included leadership frameworks, inter-agency collaboration and cooperation, emotional intelligence and critical thinking, the misuse of social media and its implications, leadership during crises and war, as well as the Constitution, Armed Forces Act and military justice system.
Resource persons included Major General Ifiok Obot (retd.), Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (retd.), Professor Okey Ikechukwu, Mrs Temitope Aiyedogbon and Colonel Cyril Oforumazi.
The course forms part of efforts to strengthen leadership capacity and professional standards among senior non-commissioned officers, whose roles remain vital to operational effectiveness, discipline and mission accomplishment.
