The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, says all branches of the Nigerian military are working in synergy to strategically defeat threats to national security.
Amao stated this on Friday during the graduation of Junior Course 92 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Kaduna State.The Air Chief was represented by Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, AVM Remigius Ekeh.According to him, the training of the course participants was part of the military’s plan of having tactically grounded professionals to prosecute ongoing operations.“
I would like you to know that the appellation ‘Passed Junior Staff Course’ – anywhere in the world implies more responsibilities in the field and staff duties.“It therefore means that you must live up to expectations and jealously guard the high reputation and standard of training that you received in the college.“
As you return to your units, organizations and countries, bear in mind that you will be given appointments and responsibilities that would challenge and test the skills you have acquired.“For officers of the armed forces of Nigeria, your enhanced sense of judgement in applying these skills will even be more useful.“Especially as the Federal Government continues to work assiduously to ensure the security and safety of Iives and property of it’s citizenry within framework of the contemporary security challenges confronting our country,” Amao said.He congratulated participants from the Armed Forces of Mali, Ghana, Niger Republic, Gambia, Burkina Faso, Congo Brazzaville and Sierra Leone for successfully completing the course.Earlier, the Commandant of AFCSC, AVM Ebenezer Alade said the junior course participants went through intense field training and academic activities designed to develop their command, analytical and communication skills as tactical level officers.Alade said the knowledge acquired would equip them to efficiently operate whether singly, jointly, as multi-agency or in combined operations.
According to him, the security challenges of today are more complex as it borders on unconventional warfare.“Thus, our responsibility as a college is to prepare you to confront and embrace these issues in the years ahead, as the country makes deliberate efforts in combating it’s security threats.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a total of 251 junior officers gradutated afters 22 weeks of intensive training.They include 101 officers from the Army; Nigerian Navy, 60; Nigerian Air Force, 72; seven allied students, three from Defence Intelligence Agency and one each from Police, Custom, Correctional service, DSS, FRSC, NPA, EFCC and NSCDC.(NAN)