The Nigerian Army has successfully graduated a cadre of highly skilled and battle-ready troops, prepared to tackle the growing challenges of insecurity within the country.
The graduation ceremony, held at the Nigerian Army Training Centre in Kachia, Kaduna State on Friday, October 20, 2023, featured an impressive display of military drills, demonstrating the graduands’ proficiency in tactical maneuvers, physical fitness, advanced shooting techniques, warrior ethos, unarmed combat, and other critical skills.
In a statement, Director Army Public Relations Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu said this comprehensive training program, named Exercise Restore Hope V, is designed to equip personnel who have recently passed out of the Depot Nigerian Army with the essential capabilities to confront the evolving security threats faced by Nigeria.
Addressing the newly graduated troops, Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, emphasized the objective of the exercise as a means for the Nigerian Army to address operational gaps through targeted, adaptive, and effective training. The ultimate goal is to produce a highly skilled and capable workforce for operational deployments in all theaters of operation.
General Lagbaja reiterated that this training initiative aligns with his Command Philosophy for the Nigerian Army, aimed at transforming it into a well-trained, well-equipped, and highly motivated force, dedicated to fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities within a joint operational environment.
The Chief of Army Staff clarified that Exercise Restore Hope offers a distinct post-Depot training model designed to enhance the professionalism and combat readiness of young soldiers.
Highlighting the importance of investing in training, General Lagbaja underscored that a nation prioritizing troop training will ultimately spend less in prosecuting conflicts. He expressed satisfaction with the training quality and the troops’ performance in the demonstration drills, urging them to apply the skills and knowledge gained to create a secure environment conducive to socio-economic development.
General Lagbaja extended his gratitude to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for unwavering support to the Nigerian Army. He also thanked the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, for their contributions to enhancing the capabilities of the Nigerian Army to fulfill its constitutional mandate.
In his welcome address, Major General Sani Mohammed, Chief of Training (Army), noted that the 16-week rigorous training instilled the troops with the essential military discipline needed to adapt to the dynamic security landscape in the country.
The graduation ceremony was attended by dignitaries, including Principal Staff Officers from the Army Headquarters, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Commandants of Nigerian Army Schools, Heads of Security Agencies in Kaduna, His Royal Highness Zamani Dogonyaro (the Agom Kachia of Kachia Chiefdom), and representatives from Kachia Local Government.
Following the ceremony, General Lagbaja conducted a duty tour of the Nigerian Army School of Artillery, also located in Kachia. He received a briefing from the Commandant, Major General Teriworie Gagariga, on the school’s status and the security situation in the surrounding area. General Lagbaja addressed the troops, urging them to maintain professionalism, loyalty to the Constitution and Government of Nigeria, and shun all social vices. He reiterated his unwavering commitment to prioritize their welfare, marking it as a top priority on his agenda for the Nigerian Army. Additionally, General Lagbaja inaugurated the school’s bakery to meet the confectionery needs of both personnel and students within the institution.
