The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu, has charged soldiers graduating from Exercise RESTORE HOPE X to uphold professionalism, discipline and operational excellence as they take up responsibilities in newly established divisions, formations and units of the Nigerian Army.
Shaibu gave the charge on Friday at the graduation ceremony of the Advanced Infantry Training Programme, codenamed Exercise RESTORE HOPE X, held at the Nigerian Army Training Centre, Kachia, Kaduna State.
The Army Chief described the programme as a key component of the Nigerian Army’s post basic infantry training framework, designed to strengthen combat proficiency, develop the warrior ethos and prepare personnel for the demands of contemporary military operations.
He said the graduation came at a significant phase of the Army’s ongoing transformation and capability expansion, following the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the restructuring of the service and establishment of additional divisions, formations and units.
According to him, the new formations are intended to improve force disposition, enhance operational responsiveness and strengthen the Army’s capacity to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Shaibu said many of the graduating soldiers would form the nucleus of the newly established formations, urging them to translate the knowledge and skills acquired during the training into effective operational performance.
He tasked the graduands to justify the investment in their training by demonstrating sound judgment, physical fitness, mental alertness, technological proficiency and an unwavering commitment to mission accomplishment.
The COAS also charged the soldiers to embrace innovation, adapt to emerging security threats and maintain strict adherence to discipline, the rule of law, human rights and the rules of engagement throughout their careers.
Shaibu expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his continued support for the Nigerian Army’s operational, training and administrative requirements, saying sustained investment in realistic and mission oriented training remained critical to building a highly skilled and combat ready force.
Earlier, the Chief of Training, Army, Maj Gen Valentine Okoro, described Exercise RESTORE HOPE X as a critical component of the Army’s training architecture, saying the programme exposed participants to tactical operations, marksmanship, field craft, combat endurance, leadership development and counter insurgency operations.
Okoro said the exercise had also strengthened institutional capacity by standardising post basic infantry training, improving instructional methods and promoting continuous development across Army training establishments.