The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has called on participants of Air War Course 10/2024 of the Air Force War College Nigeria (AFWCN) to build strategic leadership capacity and develop their subordinates by exposing themselves to adequate training and delegating responsibilities.
He enjoined them to develop their subordinates for the benefit of the force.
The Army Chief spoke on Thursday, 9th May 2024, while delivering a lecture titled: “Military Strategic Leadership: My Perspective”, at the AFWCN, Makurdi, Benue State.
Explaining that Military Strategic Leadership is the glue that holds the Armed Forces together, Gen Lagbaja noted that as a subsystem within the national polity, added that this is achieved by developing the vision or philosophy to guide the personnel and ensure that they operate within the boundaries set by the philosophy in the performance of assigned tasks in line with national interest and security.
Gen Lagbaja maintained that “the need for exposure to training, including Civil Military Relations (CMR) cannot be over-emphasized, as the military strategic leadership relates with all segments of society, particularly the political class’.
This, he added, “will enhance sound administration of personnel and operational effectiveness of troops” in tackling contemporary and emerging security challenges.
The COAS also told the participants, that as strategic leaders in the making, they must have the moral courage to delegate responsibilities and task their subordinates to enable them develop requisite competencies, even as they carry out their daily routine duties, describing it as “on the job training” for the personnel.
He used the opportunity to enjoin the participants to ensure a positive contribution to the implementation of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Act 2023.
He disclosed that the President, Commander-In-Chief, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given a nod to the Defence Industries Corporation (DICON) Act 2023, with provisions for manufacturing of defence equipment in the country.
This he stressed, is important for the nation to minimise its over-reliance on foreign procurement of necessary materials and equipment; expressing appreciation to Mr. President for the initiative and political will.
The course had participants from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, civilians and some foreign participants.
