Nigerian Army to fill manpower gaps through capacity training, says Army Chief

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

The Chief of Training, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Ndalolo, says the Army is working toward bridging manpower gaps through its approved courses and capacity building trainings for its personnel.

Ndalolo said this in Ilorin, while declaring open the Practical Based Certificate Course in Library and Information Science and Capacity Building Training on Watch Keeping Course and other 4th Quarter Courses.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the courses are Advanced Certificate in Museum and Archives Course, Advanced Certificate in Library Science, YOC Edn, Adv SAT and Curriculum Development, Watch Keeping Training and Advanced IST.

He said the 4th Quarter Courses being inaugurated are in consonant with the Nigerian Army Education Corps (NAEC)’s quest for enhanced role performance.

“Special of mention making the courses are Certificate Course in Library and Information Science and the Watch Keeping Course.

“It is quite necessary to note that these courses are in pursuance of filling the yearning gaps in manpower requirements of the Corps statutory roles.

“The roles are that of manning NA libraries and the Watch Keeping Course which ensures continuous monitoring of troops movement, enemy activity, communication among field units and command centres.

“These are usually done while logging officers’ documents and crucial actions, decision, and intelligence for strategic operational evaluation and continuity,” he said.

The Chief of Training said that the Army Headquarters was confident that practical experience in both courses was essential for ensuring service delivery and operational coordination.

“I have no doubt that Nigerian Army Education Corps (NAEC), through these courses, will produce suitable officers and soldiers for deployment in various operational theatres, NA Institutions and Tri Service establishments.

“It is hoped that the courses will attempt addressing in a sustainable and systematic way, the special manpower requirements of the NA in operation, training and exercises.

“I wish to advice that the Corps ensures that the training objectives of the courses are met to justify the resources made available for them,” he said.

The Commander NAEC, Maj.-Gen. Adebukola Oguntola, said the Corps views training as the major way of attaining its aspiration for satisfactory performance of its statutory roles in support of NA training, exercise and operations.

He said the two courses mentioned earlier stood out due to circumstantial exigencies that need their products.

The commander said the training in these courses was over 90 per cent practical based, as practical expertise in both Library Operations and Watch Keeping were Scarce Skills required for ensuring effective role performance in Peace and Operational conditions.

“Library operation enables personnel to apply hands-on-skills in managing and professionalising of NA libraries.

“On the other hand, Watch Keeping provides training for manpower manning operations room, ensuring continuous monitoring of troops, enemy activities and facilitating coordination among field units and command centres.

“This is with a view to guarantying mission success and attaining training objectives,” he said.

Oguntola said the ongoing operations and establishment of high profile educational and training institutions in the NA have placed high demand for skilled manpower in this area, leading to observed acute shortage of manpower.

Delivering the welcome address, Acting Commandant Nigerian Army Institute of Science Education Technology (NAISET), Brig.-Gen. Damian Dieke, said inauguration ceremonies in the NA were strategic milestones marking the beginning of specialised training programmes aimed at enhancing operational effectiveness and leadership capacity.

He said the events provide a formal platform for both junior, middle and senior level military leaders and subordinates alike to articulate the objectives of the course and align training with national security priorities.

The NAISET boss said 127 officers registered for the approved courses that would last for three months, which would run from Oct. 3 to Dec. 19. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bayo Sekoni