COAS to Army Trainers: Sound Training Is the First Line of Defence
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged Divisional Training Officers of the Nigerian Army to ensure that training remains sound, realistic and progressive.
This, he described it as the first and most critical line of defence in modern warfare.
Lieutenant General Shaibu gave the charge on Tuesday, at the opening ceremony of the week-long Division Training Officers Training Week, organised by the Army Headquarters Department of Training at the 3 Division Auditorium, Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos.
A statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Olumide Victor Olukoya, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 3 Division Nigerian Army, yesterday.
Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour, the Army Chief stressed that no military operation can succeed without effective training, noting that realistic and adaptive training directly influences battlefield outcomes.
He urged training officers to design programmes that reflect the realities of contemporary security threats and evolving operational environments.
“Training must foster inquisitive and adaptable mindsets. Our officers and soldiers must be prepared to learn, unlearn and relearn in line with changing tactical and operational demands,” the COAS said.
He underscored the strategic responsibility placed on Divisional Training Officers, describing them as central to shaping the competence, resilience and leadership capacity of the Army’s manpower.
According to him, leadership effectiveness on the battlefield is inseparably linked to the quality of training delivered at all levels.
“As Divisional Training Officers, you shape the quality of leadership in the Nigerian Army. An army is only as good as its leaders, and leaders are only as good as their training. This places a profound responsibility on you,” Shaibu stated.
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The COAS further emphasised that effective training cannot take place without motivated and well-cared-for personnel, directing training officers to prioritise the welfare of troops undergoing training. He also encouraged healthy competition and the recognition of outstanding performance as tools for building confidence, discipline and combat effectiveness.
Commending initiatives such as post-depot training and Exercise Shining Star, the Army Chief said such programmes are essential in strengthening the professionalism and operational readiness of young soldiers.
Earlier in his welcome address, the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander, Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, expressed delight at hosting the training week, describing it as a vital forum for professional development. He urged participants to approach the programme with seriousness and reflection, leveraging it to exchange ideas and refine their instructional and supervisory skills.
Oyinlola encouraged the officers to actively engage in lectures and discussions, noting that the insights to be shared by seasoned resource persons would be invaluable in enhancing adaptive training strategies across divisions.
Also speaking, the Convener of the workshop and Chief of Training (Army), Major General Valentine Okoro, thanked the COAS for his consistent emphasis on training as the cornerstone of military professionalism.
He advised Divisional Training Officers to ensure that all training activities are mission-oriented, realistic and aligned with the operational realities faced by troops nationwide.
The workshop, themed “Enhancing Operational Readiness: Adaptive Training Strategies for Evolving Threats,” PRNigeria reports that is designed to enable participants compare notes, draw lessons from past training activities and develop modalities to improve training outcomes in their respective divisions ahead of the new training year.
By PRNigeria
