In his bid to strengthen efficiency in the Nigerian Army operations towards achieving its constitutional mandate, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has emphasized the importance of sound leadership in the conduct of military operations.
Speaking at a one-day seminar organized by the Army Headquarters Department of Army Transformation and Innovation (DATI) in Lagos, Lieutenant General Oluyede urged officers to provide effective leadership to troops under their command.
The seminar themed: “Transformational Leadership and Nigerian Army Operational Effectiveness in a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment,” was aimed at enhancing mentorship among junior commanders as a crucial element of combat.
Lieutenant General Oluyede, who was represented by the Corps Commander Ordnance, Major General Tafida Wesley, noted that junior and middle cadre officers who are entrusted with providing purposeful leadership and exemplary followership at the tactical level where planning for engagements and battles is conducted, need to be cultured to understand that their actions contribute in no small measures to national strategic objectives.
“The mission conducted at this level supports the broader operational goals in furtherance of national security and stability”, he added.
Speaking further, the COAS said the ability of young officers to understand and interpret operational level directives is fundamental to providing the nature and form of leadership that is essential to navigating the contemporary security challenges in the country.
He, therefore, urged middle cadre leaders to develop adaptive and innovative mindsets to be able to efficiently respond to the nation’s constantly morphing threats.
Describing the seminar as timely, given the nation’s current security challenges, he expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for his unwavering support to the Nigerian Army.
Speaking earlier, the Chief of Transformation and Innovation Army (COTI (A), Major General Segun Abai stated that the seminar is one of the series of the activities designed by DATI to enhance leadership for improved regimentation, discipline and combat efficiency.
Highlighting the objectives of the seminar, he stated that these include enhancing leadership for improved regimentation, discipline, and combat efficiency. He added that it is also focused on institutionalizing mentorship as a framework for raising effective leaders in the NA while viewing leadership as an essential element of combat.
The COTI (A) expressed his profound gratitude to the COAS for providing DATI with necessary resources and strategic guidance to make the event a success. He also thanked the General Officer Commanding 81 Division NA, Maj Gen FU Mijinyawa for the reception, hospitality, and support accorded the DATI team since their arrival in Lagos. He urged all participants to contribute meaningfully during the seminar to enable the NA to plot the path to transforming quality leaders who are result-oriented.
The event was attended by Maj Gen MO Enendu (rtd), General Officer Commanding 81 Division NA, Maj Gen FU Mijinyawa, Deputy Commandant Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Maj Gen AO Oyelade , Managing Director, Directorate of Movement, Maj Gen SO Adejimi, Commander 9 Brigade, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja Cantonment, Ikeja, Brig Gen Matthew Oyekola amongst other dignitaries, senior officers and officers drawn from units and formations in 81 Division.
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