By: Joy Odor/Kaduna
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukuru Buratai has charged 171 graduated officers of Junior Course 84 to be more ostensible now that Nigeria is confronted with internal security menace of Boko haram to measure up with courage, conviction and in professional manner.
Lieutenant General Buratai gave the charge in his speech at the graduation ceremony of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) Junior Course 84 held in Jaji, Kaduna, North-West, Nigeria on Saturday.
The 171 grandaunts comprise 90 Nigerian Army Officers, 40 Nigerian Navy officers, 28 Nigerian Air Forces Officer, 6 Non-Military students’ comprise Nigerian Custom Service, Nigerian Defense Academy and the Defense Intelligence Agency.
Other includes, 7 International Officers from Republic of Benin, Republic of Mali, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Zimbabwean.
The Chief of Army Staff enjoined the officers to uphold the highest standards of conduct, character, integrity, excellence, service and teamwork as well as respecting the rule of law and human rights in their series to the nation.
He opined that their action during the on-going counter insurgency operations in crucial and must be guided by the Armed Forces Act, Standing Operation Procedures or Rule of Engagement.
“Today, 171 of you will be conferred with the appellation ‘Passed Junior Staff Course’ it therefore, means that you must live up to expectation and guard jealously the high reputation and standard of training associated with the Armed Forces Command and Staff College.
“For past 23 weeks, you have been thoroughly subjected to various demanding tasks that exposed you to several presentations, lectures, discussion, exercises and even tours outside the college and l; am sure you have leant time management, punctuality, team spirit, staff skills, esprit-de-corps and self-confidence.
“In this regard, you are fortunate to benefit from such packages as the estimated process, the manoeuverist approach to warfare, peace support operations, counter-terrorism and disaster management” he said.
He reminded the officers that the world has been miniaturized by technology and as Nigeria is becoming increasingly inter-dependent, we cannot afford to remain aloof considering the size, population and contribution to the maintenance of global peace and security.
General Buratai affirmed that Nigeria’s commitment to international peace will continue to require their services as military observers, staff officers or members of contingent in multi-national operations.
The COAS hoped that the officers are all prepared to serve gallantly in the internal theater of operations in the North West and the Niger Delta and considered that the officers will do the country proud.
To the International officers, General Buratai also hoped that they will continue to nurture the relationship established while on the course which would go a long way to foster bilateral relations and long standing military co-operation.
