The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has urged senior commanders to ensure their troops are well-prepared and to continually review contingency plans for effective security management.
Lagbaja made this statement at the opening of the Second Senior Command Leadership Seminar 2024, hosted by the Army Headquarters Garrison on Tuesday in Abuja.
The seminar, themed “Enhancing Operational Level Command and Leadership within a Joint Environment,” aims to improve command and leadership skills.
Represented by the Director-General of the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Maj.-Gen. Obinna Ajunwa, Lagbaja emphasized that modern warfare extends beyond traditional battlefields. He highlighted the hybrid nature of conflicts, including cyber warfare and the use of drones and robotics, which have transformed the battlefield.
“Therefore, you must all keep abreast with these changes as we collectively focus on developing capabilities to deal with these emerging security issues in order to build a formidable future force.
“I, therefore, urge you all to participate actively and make meaningful contributions as we continue to advance into the future.
“Senior leaders must be the catalyst of change and inculcate a sense of ‘jointness’ and synergy among all personnel and other sister services.
“I urge you all to strengthen our preparedness and continuously review your contingency plans to ensure efficient management of your security environment,” he said.
The COAS explained that the seminar aims to equip senior commanders with the necessary skills and competence to enhance their performance in today’s complex security environment.
“The Nigerian army is facing multiple security threats in highly complex and unpredictable geopolitical environments,” he said.
Commander of the AHQ Garrison, Maj.-Gen. Koko Isoni, noted that contemporary security challenges make the seminar essential for guiding senior commanders in their duties. He said the seminar aims to build on the successes of the first edition held earlier this year at the 82 Division Headquarters.
He explained that the theme was chosen to emphasize the fundamentals of leadership, operational efficiency in a joint environment, complex decision-making, and the integration of capacities.
Isoni added that the seminar would allow resource persons and participants to discuss and devise practical solutions to command challenges.
“I wish to use this medium to urge the participants to engage them constructively during interactive sessions in order to harness the full benefits of the seminar.
“I look forward to robust discussions as training progresses and I have no doubt that at the end of the seminar, critical issues bothering on command will be addressed,” he said. (NAN)
