By Winifred Michael
The Nigerian Military has been urged to prioritize operational training as part of measures for strengthening national security across the country.
An expert in strategic military study who doubles as retired Commandant of Nigeria’s National Defence College, Rear Admiral Makanjuola Kadiri, advised the graduation lecture in honor of Naval Warfare Course 8 participants in Cross River State.
Rear Admiral Kadiri, who was hosted by the Commandant Naval War College Nigeria, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, while speaking on the theme: “Optimizing Operational Level Training For Enhanced National Security”, noted that effective operational training, which was critical for the protection of the core values and interest of a state, would enable military personnel to acquire skills relevant for tackling existential threats to national security.
He said: “A major determinant for the effectiveness of the armed forces to contribute to national security is the level of preparedness or what we call force readiness.” According to the expert, in the United States and the Nigerian Army’s outline of key elements for combat readiness, training is a recurring decimal, noting that “training is a universal process of improving the capabilities of personnel to perform the respective functions.”
Rear Admiral Kadiri indicated that military threats such as “insurgency, terrorism, armed banditry, kidnap for ransom, piracy and sea robbery as well as cross border threats” were reasons for operational training to be prioritized.
The former Commandant however, acknowledged that the launch of past and current military operations recorded successes, he underscored the need for the military in Nigeria and Africa to adapt to the changing nature of warfare by conducting training, which would contribute to improving the quality of their responses to address national security issues.
He further averred that the content quality of the training courses, the equipment and infrastructure of colleges as well as the expertise of resource persons must be of paramount importance and upgraded to align with current realities since technology, social, and economic realities are additional threats to national security.
Kadiri added: “Warfare keeps evolving – cyber warfare, information warfare, urban warfare involving non-state actors. Technology continues to change the battle space, economic and social issues continue to take center stage.
“The military must be agile enough to adapt to the changing nature of warfare. A commander has the responsibility of developing training, the training delivery methodology, which also includes simulations, and then reviewing the training outcomes,” he advised.
In a remark, the Special Guest of Honour, Rear Admiral Saheed Akinwande, who is the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), commended the Warfare Course 8 participants for rounding off the program.
Rear Admiral Akinwande described the graduation lecture as “A good takeaway package” for the 24 participants recalling with nostalgia his participation at the Naval War College as a pioneer.
He also acknowledged the support of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla as well as appreciated the NWC Commandant, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, and members of facilities for their efforts.
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