The Army War College Nigeria has graduated another set of 75 Operational Level Senior Military Officers, Course 8 2024 after intensive and rigorous 35 weeks training, a combination of higher military strategy and management course which exposed participants to professionalism of military education.
75 officers, comprising 65 from the Nigerian Army, 2 from the Nigerian Navy, 2 from the Nigerian Air Force, and 6 officers from some sister African nations, namely Cameroon, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Eswatini, and the Republic of Liberia.
The content of the module were carefully selected to prepare them for operational levele Command and Staff functions in civil and joint service as well as in extra Regimental and civilian appointments at national and international levels.
The course organised into 8 modules were carefully selected with the supporting packages of three terms which are, the Foundation Module, the National Security and Organization events, the Interagency cooporation and coordination in military operations, Theory of War and Strategy, Leadership, Military History, Operational Art and Campaign, and Peace Support Operation.
At the graduation ceremony on Friday, 4th October 2024 in honor of distinguished graduating participants of Army War College Nigeria Course 8/2024, the Special Guest of Honour, the Honorable Minister of Defense, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar extend his heartfelt congratulations to the marvellous achievement and the accomplishments having undergone a journey of 35 weeks of rigorous training and lectures for growth and personal sacrifice.
"You enthusiasm and professionalism has demonstrated the qualities of leadership, discipline and strategic thinking essential for the security and defence of our dear nation, underscoring the indepensable importance of personal military education."he said
The Minister urged them to take a moment to reflect on their journey so far. He said the Army War College Nigeria has offered them a unique opportunity to expand their skills and knowledge and forge lasting bond with their peers, faculty and college community, noting that the lesson learnt and experiences gathered here will serve as the foundation for their future endeavours.
Badaru stressed that their graduation marks their gradual transformation from tactical into operational and strategic level leaders, noting that leadership is the cornerstone of military service, extending beyond mere Order to inspiring and guiding others towards a common goals
"This goals rises from your understanding of the interplay between strategic, operational and tactical levels as well as your awareness of your strategic environment. As graduates of the Army War College Nigeria you are not equipped with the tools that will enable you to lead and navigate the geostartegic landscape.
"Therefore I urged you to leade with integrity, courage and compassion. Always remember that true leadership is about serving others and making decision to reflect the highest military values of Honour and greatness."
In his welcome address the Commandant, Army War College Nigeria, Major General Ishaya Maina noted that in about seven years of Army War College Nigeria existence, the college has trained a good number of operational level senior military officers, whom from the feedback in the field, are making significant contributions in operations across the country.
Maj. General Maina said these successes were only possible because of the passion and support to the college by the Chief of Army Staff, who have continued in placing training to be one of the top priorities of the Nigerian Army.
He congratulated the graduands for their various performance while on this intense course. "You must be really proud of yourselves for this laudable achievement. For us members of the college community, we proudly identify with this achievement.
"For the allied participants, it has indeed been rewarding having you with us. Without any doubt, I am confident you all have benefited from the rich curriculum of the war course, which has afforded you the opportunity to compare notes with what obtains in your respective countries. Indeed, you have added value and glamour to the course"
The Commandant therefore ururged them to go and be good ambassadors of the Army War College Nigeria. "My dear graduating participants, this college from its curriculum has provided you with valuable strategic thinking tools and skills in preparation, planning, and conduct of operations, as well as the general application of land power to prosecute wars in a joint environment.
"From now onwards, you are expected to be able to develop implementable practical solutions. We therefore expect that you will knowledgeably apply much of the critical thinking tools you have learned in solving some problems that you will be confronted with. In doing this, remember the words of Peter Senge, where he said, and I quote, most of the problems of today came from yesterday's solutions.
"Hence, be careful of solutions you prefer today, as they may become problems for tomorrow. Unquote. My dear participants, I encourage you to understand that the system appreciates the huge investment that has gone into your training.
"Therefore, there will be high demand from you for excellence, knowledge, ideas, options, and quality service among others. I encourage you to proudly stand on the solid foundation provided by the college and make your professional mark. Furthermore, I would like to urge you graduates to always set your goals right and apply discipline and consistency in the pursuit of those goals.
"Always strive for excellence and do not tolerate or encourage mediocrity. Remember also to be compassionate and apply empathy, especially in your dealings with your subordinates. Remember the efforts you personally make at your own self-development is what mostly defines your path and not the lectures you receive in the classroom.
"So, in your self-development, seek to always develop your competence and also mold and shape your character positively. Again, always remember the words of General Norman Schwarzkopf, where he said, and I quote, military leadership is a potential combination of sound understanding of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, he said, be without the strategy.
"With this, I cannot stress enough how important it is for you to be of good character. It is true that your talents can take you to places, but your character is what will sustain you. In closing, I wish to once again welcome and thank the special guest of honor for honoring us with his esteemed presence.
Dignitaries at the graduation ceremony were representatives of Commandants National Defense College and the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Principal staff officers from the Defense and Services Headquarters, Corps Commanders, the General Officer commanding three-division Nigerian Army and Commander Operation Safe Haven, as well as Commander Operation Whirl Stroke, Commander Army Headquarters Garrison, other Commanders and Heads of Nigerian Army Establishment, Commandants of other institutions, former Commandants of the National Defense College Nigeria, Armed Forces Command and Staff College and the Nigerian Defense Academy.
Others are very senior officers serving and retired, representatives of various ministries, departments and agencies, members of the Diplomatic Corps, the Deputy Commandant, Director of Studies, Army War College Nigeria, the Commander, Guards Brigade, other Directors of the College, highly revered members of external resource persons and external faculty, extreme members of faculty, and participants of Army War College Nigeria Course 8 2024.