The Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has charged Nigerian soldiers to uphold professionalism, discipline and operational excellence as they prepare to serve in newly established military formations aimed at strengthening the Army’s response to evolving security challenges.
Shaibu gave the charge on Friday during the graduation ceremony of soldiers who completed Exercise RESTORE HOPE X in Kachia, Kaduna State.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, the graduating soldiers will form the core personnel of newly created divisions, formations and units established to improve the Nigerian Army’s operational effectiveness and force deployment across the country.
The Army chief described the exercise as the flagship of the Army’s post-basic infantry training programme, designed to sharpen combat skills, reinforce the warrior spirit and prepare soldiers for the realities of modern military operations.
He noted that the graduation comes at a critical period in the Army’s transformation, following the Federal Government’s approval for the expansion of the force through the creation of additional formations.
According to Shaibu, President Bola Tinubu approved the restructuring initiative to enhance the Army’s operational capacity and improve its ability to tackle emerging security threats nationwide.
“Many of you will constitute the nucleus of these new formations and are expected to translate your training into operational effectiveness,” he said.
The COAS urged the newly trained soldiers to justify the investment in their training by demonstrating exceptional professionalism, sound judgment and unwavering commitment to assigned missions.
He also encouraged them to remain physically fit, mentally alert and technologically competent while adapting to changing security threats and embracing innovation in military operations.
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Shaibu further stressed the importance of discipline, respect for the rule of law, protection of human rights and strict adherence to the military’s rules of engagement throughout their careers.
He described continuous investment in realistic and mission-oriented training as essential to building a highly skilled fighting force capable of achieving decisive operational success.
He also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his sustained support toward the Army’s operational, training and administrative needs.
According to him, the President’s strategic leadership and continued investment have accelerated the Nigerian Army’s transformation agenda and ongoing force expansion programme.
Earlier, the Chief of Training, Maj.-Gen. Valentine Okoro, described Exercise RESTORE HOPE X as one of the Army’s most important training programmes.
Okoro said the exercise has consistently produced highly motivated and combat-ready soldiers who have distinguished themselves in various operational theatres across the country.
He explained that participants underwent intensive training in tactical operations, marksmanship, field craft, combat endurance, leadership development and counter-insurgency operations under realistic battlefield conditions.
According to him, the programme significantly improved the trainees’ confidence, decision-making ability and combat effectiveness while strengthening the Army’s institutional capacity through standardized post-basic infantry training and improved instructional methods across its training establishments.
NAN
