By Idris Umar, Zaria The Chief of Transformation and Innovation (Army), Maj. Gen. O. S. Abai, has advised members of the Armed F...
By Idris Umar, Zaria
The Chief of Transformation and Innovation (Army), Maj. Gen. O. S. Abai, has advised members of the Armed Forces to desist from taking drugs or any medication without proper medical prescription and guidance.
Maj. Gen. Abai gave the advice in his remarks as the Special Guest of Honour at the Army Headquarters Directorate of Army Training Awareness Lecture on Warrior Ethos, PTSD, and Drugs/Substance Abuse, held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Nigerian Military School, Chindit Cantonment, Zaria.
Represented by the Director of Lessons Learnt, Army Headquarters Department of Transformation and Innovation, Maj. Gen. M. D. Danja, Abai described drug addiction among military personnel as highly unacceptable and counterproductive to professionalism.
He explained that, in line with the Nigerian Army’s transformative agenda, the Army has been engaging key stakeholders such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and medical experts to sensitize and educate personnel on the dangers of taking drugs without proper supervision.
“The Nigerian Army will continue to organize similar lectures across all formations and units to promote mental wellness, discipline, and operational effectiveness among personnel,” he said. He also urged participants to share the lessons learned from the seminar with colleagues to help curb drug abuse within the ranks.
In his welcome address, the Commandant of the Nigerian Military School, Brig. Gen. O. N. Egija, said the seminar, themed “From Trauma to Triumph: Building Combat-Ready Warriors in the Nigerian Army,” was aimed at consolidating efforts to strengthen the moral and psychological components of the Army’s fighting force.
According to him, the Nigerian Army has continued to make deliberate efforts to ensure the combat readiness of its officers and soldiers for optimal performance in the fluid and dynamic contemporary security environment. He encouraged participants to take the seminar seriously to achieve its objective of building a disciplined, resilient, and combat-ready force.
Delivering a lecture titled “Warrior Ethos,” retired Maj. Gen. C. Ofoche explained that the concept embodies determination, resilience, selflessness, motivation, vigilance, and the readiness to sacrifice one’s life for the nation.
Quoting Billy Graham, he said, “When wealth is lost, nothing is lost. When health is lost, something is lost. But when character is lost, all is lost.”
Ofoche stressed that once the character of the armed forces is compromised, they lose the essence of what it means to be warriors. He further noted that the Warrior Ethos transcends aggression or dominance, highlighting the role of families — mothers, wives, and daughters — in preserving the values and heritage that sustain the fighting spirit.
Concluding his presentation, he said, “The greatest weapon in war is the people’s collective will — the fighting will, not just the platforms. No victory comes without sacrifice. We must overcome fear because if we quit, evil wins. Always project strength.”
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