Expert Tasks Military on Training to Bolster National Security

By Eme Offiong, Calabar 

The Nigerian military has been urged to prioritise operational training as part of measures to strengthen national security.

An expert in strategic military studies and retired former commandant of Nigeria’s National Defence College, Rear Admiral Makanjuola Kadiri, gave the advice at the graduation lecture in honour of Naval Warfare Course 8 participants.

Rear Admiral Kadiri, who was hosted by the Commandant Naval War College Nigeria, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, spoke on the theme: “Optimising Operational Level Training For Enhanced National Security.”

Kadiri noted that effective operational training, which was critical for the protection of the core values and interests 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 him, in the United States and the Nigerian Army’s outline of key elements for combat readiness, training was a recurring decimal, noting “training is a universal process of improving the capabilities of personnel to perform the respective functions.”

Rear Admiral Kadiri further 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 prioritised.

Although the former commandant 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.

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He further averred that the content quality of the training courses, the equipment and infrastructure or 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 were additional threats to national security.

Rear Admiral Kadiri said, “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 centre 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 review the training outcomes.”

In a remark sequel to the lecture, 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 programme.

Rear Admiral Akinwande described the graduation lecture as “a good takeaway package” for the 24 participants recalling with nostalgia his own participation at the Naval War College as pioneers.

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.

He urged the participants to utilise the knowledge acquired for the benefit of their countries and Africa as a whole.