About 63 officers of the armed forces and other security agencies from Nigeria, Liberia, Togo, Niger Republic, Republic of Congo and Chad have been conferred as Fellows of the Army War College.
Among them are 50 from Nigerian Army, 2 each from Nigerian Air Force, and Nigerian Navy respectively, while others are from para-military from various African countries
The Commandant Army War College of Nigeria, Maj. Gen. Solomon Udounwa made this disclosure at the graduation ceremony of the College's Course 5/2021 which took place in Abuja on Friday.
The Commandant expressed delight that the gentlemen officers from friendly countries have in 35 weeks undergone professional military education to prepare for responsibility and field of operational leadership.
Udounwa said, through lectures, exercises, Tours, seminars and symposiums among other activities, they have critically examined theories and strategies, transept and systems in the field national security, inter-agency cooperation and collaboration leadership decision making and conflict analysis among others.
"They have also undertaken the in-depth analysis of contemporary security issues and apply critical thinking skills to profess solution to some of the security challenges facing our dear nation.
He further explained the essence of the course, as to prepare the graduands for operational level command and staff functions in single, joint service, extra regional and civilian appointments.
Addressing the participants, Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (retd) who was represented by Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Musa Istifanus, commended the Commandant for the successful completion of the training for Course 5/2021.
He also congratulated all the 63 graduands who had gone through the 8 months curriculum in the College, passed through hard academic activities with commitment and perseverance.
The Minister noted that the largest objectives of the College focused on national security, military strategy, and operational act towards enabling officers to be more effective in the complex terrain of 21st century security environment.
He said the Federal government is committed to supporting the armed forces to develop the right set of skills and knowledge of personnel to be better prepared to tackle security threats that confront country.
The Defence Minister urged Nigerians to commend troops' loyalty, commitment and doggedness in the various theaters of operations.
He said, "A lots of progress have been made in the ongoing military operations in the North East, Nigeria is still faced with numerous threats such as armed banditry, vandalism, kidnapping, farmers/herders conflicts, cultism among others," he noted.
In his goodwill message, Commandant of the United State Army War College, David Will congratulated successful participants and urged them to use their wealth of knowledge acquired from the course to proffer solution to national security in their respective countries.
Awards and Certificates were given to the graduands. Lt Col G Owojaiye won the Best College Paper, with the topic "Enhancing Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Capability for Improved Operational Efficiency", while, Lt Col CT Gboe won Best Allied, Lt Col AK Ali won the First Position of the College Award, Lt Col G Owojaiye won Second Position, while Col MI Lemu got the third position. CDIO AA Adeniyi from Unit Defence Intelliegence College gets Best MDA.
Dignitaries at the event was the Minister of Defence
Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (retd) ably represented by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Musa Istifanus, Chief of Defence Staff General Lucky Irabor ably represented by Air Vice Marshal ML Sanda, Chief of Army Staff, Lt Col Faruk Yahaya, his wife NAOWA President Mrs Yahaya, Representatives of Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Inspector General of Police, Director Army Ministry of Defence, Heads of Security Agencies, Chief of Defence Intelligence and Others.
