The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has called on all the Nigerian Army training institutions to come up with more innovative ideas that will address the myriad of challenges confronting Nigerian Army operations.
Buratai who made this call on Friday in his address at the graduation ceremony of the Logistics Staff Course 16, 2019 at the Nigerian Army College of Logistics (NACOL), Lagos, stated that the call had become necessary as the Nigerian Army needed new strategies to sustain the successes gained against insurgents and reinvigorate its effort in resolving the herders/farmers conflict and other criminalities in Nigeria.
Represented by the Commander, Training and Doctrine Command, Nigerian Army, Major Gen. AA Tarfa, the Chief of Army Staff noted that Nigerian Army was confronted with myriads of security challenges which is was currently grappling with even as he pointed out that considerable efforts had been made through introduction of task forces and operations to address the security concerns “hence, the management of her logistics requires the training and coordination which NACOL is expected to offer.”
He continued, “Today, each of the geopolitical zones are confronted with peculiar security concerns and challenges. To this end, our training regimes have evolved to address the various threat environments particularly in the NE with the ongoing CTCOIN. The Nigerian Army has continued to conduct several training exercises and operations in different geopolitical zones to address the various threats to national security. I am happy with the successes attained by these exercises and the professionalism exhibited by our personnel.
“This underpins the Nigerian Army’s total commitment to its constitutional roles as reinforced in my vision. I therefore task our training institutions to come up with more innovative ideas that will address the myriads of challenges confronting Nigerian Army operations”.
Speaking on the day’s event, he observed that the ceremony presented an opportunity to appreciate and celebrate the graduating students for their commitment, hard work and perseverance on the course in the last seven months adding that the ceremony marked yet another milestone in the history of NACOL a citadel of learning.
He said, “The College has within the short period of existence become a centre for exchange of ideas, inculcation of skills innovation and research and development. The college continues to impact skills development and capacity building in logistics administration and management of the Nigerian Army operations. I have no doubt there that the college has achieved its mandate within a decade and a half of its existence and I urge you to sustain the tempo.
“I have no doubt that the rich curriculum of the college has imbued in the graduands the needed skills in logistics planning and execution in support of military operations. Therefore, I challenge the students to go to the field with determination and with knowledge gained while at the college and make a difference across the various operations. I therefore congratulate you for successfully completing the course and commend those officers who have distinguished themselves by winning awards.”
Aware of the of the challenges facing NACOL due to the inadequacies of the current location, Buratai disclosed that the Nigerian Army was making frantic efforts to fast track the ongoing construction works at the permanent site to enable the college relocate as soon as possible adding “I am optimistic that with the relocation to its permanent site, the college will have needed facilities for the introduction of new courses such as Humanitarian Logistics Course for Military and Civilian Strategic Leaders, Logistics Supply Chain Management and Procurement Courses among others.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commandant of the College, Major General Osazele Idowu Uzamere noted that the graduation ceremony formally marked the successful completion of yet another Logistics Staff Course which assembled on 10th January, 2019 with 23 officers from the Nigerian Army and an officer from the Nigerian Navy.
He added that it had been 29 weeks of intense training and academic activities for those students adding that the course was designed to train middle cadre officers in the preparation and execution of logistics plan in support of formations up to corps level.
According to him,” This was achieved by developing their understanding and application of modern strategic management concepts appropriate to defence logistics, improving their professional skill in the acquisition of military hardware as well as planning and providing efficient logistics support for the Nigerian Army operations as well as the Armed Forces.
“There is no doubt that the students who are graduating today are well equipped to cope with the challenges that would likely confront them in future. They have been adequately prepared to hold logistics appointments in their respective corps. It is now obligatory that students build on this solid professional foundation laid by the college through concerted efforts to align yourselves for the tasks ahead. On behalf of the staff of the college, I congratulate and wish you all the best in your career.”
While thanking the Chief of Army Staff for his continual interest and financial support to the college despite other pressing commitments, the Commandant said,” During the period of this course, your support led to the reconstruction and remodeling of NACOL students’ accommodation which provides best learning condition for our students. The aesthetic edifice has become a bench mark for the Armed Forces.”
“Permit me to also mention that throughout the duration of work for the renovation and remodeling of the students’ hostel from December 2017 – March 2018, the Chief of Army Staff approved funds for the accommodation of the graduating students and some faculty members at the Command Guest House Apapa. This gesture prevented the disruption of the training programme during the renovation.
“In addition, the college appreciates the Chief of Army Staff for the renovation and furnishing of NACOL Commandants’ accommodation at ANN Barracks as well as the commitment to infrastructural development of the permanent site in Ojo Cantonment with a ground breaking ceremony on 22 January, 2019. I am optimistic that with the relocation to its permanent site, the college will have the needed facilities for the introduction of new courses such as Humanitarian Logistics Course for military and civilian strategic leaders, Logistic Supply Chain Management, Procurement Courses, Junior and Senior NCO Logistics Courses.
“The College will therefore not relent in its efforts to further enrich subsequent courses by introducing additional seminars for the students in the 2020 Course Curriculum among others”, he added.
Highlights of the ceremony were presentation of certificates, awards to the best graduating students and induction of the students to the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) respectively by the Presidents of the institutes.
Photo: Representative of Chief of Army Staff, Major Gen. AA Tarfa in a group photograph with the Commandant of the NACOL, Directing Staff and graduating students of NACOL in Lagos last Friday.
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