The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division Nigerian Army (NA), Major General Obinna Onubogu, has described Warrant Officers (WOs) and Senior Non - Commission Officers (SNCOs) of the NA as custodians of regimentation and discipline at the units level.
He stated this while inaugurating the Leadership Awareness and Development Course 12/2025, at Headquarters (HQ) 2 Division NA, Ibadan, on 14 July 2025.
Lieutenant Colonel Polycarp Okoye noted that Tlthe course which is scheduled to last till Friday 18 July, 2025, assembled participants of the rank category (WOs and SNCOs), from units and formations within 2 Division Area of Responsibility (AOR); including representatives from the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), and other security agencies.
He said it is aimed at training and equipping SNCOs in the NA with requisite leadership skills necessary to deliver effectively on their responsibilities. Topical areas outlined for discussion during the course are; leadership framework, coaching and mentoring, interagency collaboration, emotional intelligence and critical thinking.
Social media misuse, and implications, leadership in crisis and war, NA customs, ethics and tradition, will be reviewed as well. Participants will also be taken through team building, team work, and conflict management; including constitution, Armed Forces Act, and military justice system.
Speaking during the inauguration, the GOC, stated that the course was deliberately designed by the Nigerian Army Resource Center (NARC), to enhance the capacity development of participants in order to achieve excellent service delivery.
He said..... "Leadership Awareness and Development, points to the need for all participants to recognize the enormous responsibilities we hold as leaders irrespective of our ranks, corps, arm of service or organization.
"This is because WOs and SNCOs of the NA, are custodians of regimentation and discipline at the units level. They also provide the essential links by bridging the gaps between officers and soldiers in the unit", the GOC added.
He further charged participants to always demonstrate sound leadership and tact in dealing with their subordinates and superiors.
General Onubogu, encouraged participants to pass down knowledge learnt to their subordinates, in order to sustain institutional memories.
He affirmed that the course would sharpen participants' intuition, and empower them to apply effective leadership skills in peace, war, or crisis situations.
"The Leadership Awareness and Development Course 2025, closely mirrors the Chief of Army Staff's (COAS') Command Philosophy, which is " *To Consolidate the Transformation of the Nigerian Army Towards Bequeathing a Well-motivated and Combat-Ready Force that can Effectively Discharge its Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment* ."
"If we bequeat our subordinates an army which we all can be proud of, the onus is on us to be unrelenting in educating our soldiers on what is expected of them."
He urged participants to remain resilient in the phase of opposition, and to always checkmate subordinates who indulge in unethical acts which are non conforming with existing Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the NA.
During a lecture titled "Leadership Framework", as delivered by a guest lecturer, Professor Okey Ikechukwu, Major General James Myam (Rtd), who represented the Director General (DG), NARC, Major General GA Wahab (Rtd), enjoined participants to take advantage of the course period to improve their knowledge of leadership and enjoy its benefits for personal and collective gains.
He said the lectures for the course were carefully selected to suit the lingering demands for guidance and mentorship amongst subordinates in the NA and other security agencies.
In attendance at the inauguration ceremony, were; Executive Director Consult, NARC, Major General Sanusi Dahiru, Director of Leadership Development Institute, Brigadier General EZ Karau, Chief of Staff, HQ 2 Division NA, Brigadier General MI Falana, Commanders and Senior Officers of HQ 2 Division.