The Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Signals, Apapa, Lagos State, Maj.-Gen. Olusegun Adesina on Tuesday said that leadership was key in the control of insurgency in the country.

Adesina said this at the 16th edition, Nigerian Army Leadership Development Seminar 2021 with theme: ‘Leadership Excellence In The Digital Era.’

The three days seminar would hold form May 25 to May 27 at the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration (NASFA) Arakan Barracks, Apapa, Lagos State.

Adesina expressed grief while eulogising the words and achievements of the Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru who died alongside senior officers in a plane crash over the weekend.

“In a sober mood over the weekend, the words of Gen. Attahiru came to mind when he said we need to control insurgency, otherwise insurgency will control us.

“Thinking through this and the onus of the statement, brings to mind that the leadership development seminar is simply to use leadership skills to control insurgency.

“Leadership is very key and vital to us in the control of of insurgency and indeed other challenges and threats we have in Nigeria,” the Maj.-Gen. said.

Adesina said that leadership at all levels of command, be it artificial, operational or strategic in the military was very intentional because it was a matter of life and death.

“I urge the participants in capacity of lieutenant colonels and colonels to develop courage and do what is right at all times.

“What you need at this stage is courage to take decisions, to accept responsibilities and to do the right things at the right time.

“Ninety-nine percent of our leadership failures is usually failure of character therefore, as senior military officers, you must have character to succeed,” he said.

The Maj.-Gen. said that giving up was not an option and that the officers must continue to strive to ensure to do the right things for a desired transformation in the nation.

He said that the seminar indicated the importance that the Nigerian Army placed on the leadership effectiveness of their officers at the various levels of command.

“The choice of the theme is a clear commitment to continue to strive towards achieving set objectives of the seminar.

“The choice of the seminar theme also reveal that the army is not left behind in the development of leaders.

“It’s cognitive abilities for management of human and material resources is worth managerial expertise,” he said.

Adesina said that the seminar was a reaffirmation of the commitment and the importance the Nigerian Army attached to capacity building and career progression of it’s personnel.

“I believe that this seminar will help in equipping participants with the right skills, values and orientation that will aid them in effective decision processes.

“The accomplishment of Nigerian Army goals and objectives at this premium time demands a prompt and precise applications of managerial capabilities as leaders.

“The Nigerian Army constitutes an important component of the Nigerian society therefore, it deserves confident, effective and efficient leaders that will translate ideas into action,” he said.

Adesina said that leadership in the army was imperative in the view of overcoming security challenges which had manifested in rampant techno-religious figures for ransom, banditry and increasing waves of terrorism.

“Therefore, there is need for decisive, skillful and self combinated leadership across all chains of Command,” he said.

Also, the Commandant, NASFA, Brig.-Gen. Felix Ohunyeye said that the seminar would be held in a sober reflection considering the recent death of their general.

“The implication of this is that the festivity with the candour and glamour that you will have experienced by being in this institution will be drastically reduced,” he said.

Ohunyeye said that the seminar was designed for officers from the rank of lieutenant colonels and above in view of the importance the ranks play in policy formation and implementation in the army.

“The leadership seminar is crafted to equip the participants with the right skills, values and orientation to carryout roles effectively and officially through the use of global management practices.

“This will invariably enhance capacity and career profession of personnel of the military officers,” the Brig.-Gen. said.

He said that the seminar was carefully crafted to prepare participants for their day to day assignments through the various effective, innovative and creative attitude as key to effective leadership.

“The topics to be discussed have been selected to meet the expectations of the Nigerian Army.

“The seminar will benefit the participants because of the direct opportunity in the management of human and material resources towards attaining the Chief Of Army Staff vision,” Adesina said.

He said that some of the topics to be discussed in the seminar were: Leadership Competency Within Ethics, Roles Of Leaders In Digital Transformation, Workplace Engagement and Artificial Intelligence.

“Other topics are Overcoming Resistance To Change and Fostering The Culture Of Excellence.

“The seminar will be conducted through a sequence of presentations, classroom discussions, exercises and interactive sessions.

“This will ensure development for a deeper understanding of the role of junior and intermediate leaders in analysing and resolving contemporary issues.

“It will also enhance potentials of the participants thus optimising their technical and professional capabilities,” he said.

Hybrid News Nigeria reports that the seminar is organised by the NASFA in conjunction with the Nigerian Institute Of Management.
50 military personnel from lieutenant colonels to colonels drawn from various formations of the Nigerian Army would be participating in the three-day event.