By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged officers and men of t...
By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces to contribute meaningfully to the stability of Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
The COAS gave the charge during the Regimental Dinner Night for Junior Course 100 and Senior Course 47 at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Kaduna State. He was represented at the event by the Commander, Infantry Corps, Nigerian Army, Major General Godwin M. Mutkut.
The Regimental Dinner Night, a time-honoured military tradition, reflects the discipline, etiquette, and esprit de corps of the Armed Forces. It serves as a reminder of the core values that bind officers together, including discipline, loyalty, mutual respect, and service before self.
The event also served as a prelude to the maiden joint graduation ceremony of Junior Course 100 and Senior Course 47, marking a historic milestone in the evolution of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College.
Participants of Junior Course 100 underwent intensive training aimed at sharpening their tactical proficiency, leadership capacity, and professional conduct. They represent the future of the officer corps and are now equipped to assume greater responsibilities in national service.
Similarly, members of Senior Course 47 were trained in strategic thinking, intellectual depth, and operational mastery, preparing them to command formations and contribute to policy formulation, doctrine development, and the future direction of the Armed Forces.
The joint graduation ceremony, according to the COAS, reflects the college’s vision of synergy, integration, and jointness—principles that are essential in contemporary warfare. He noted that success in today’s complex security environment requires collaboration across services, branches, and levels of command.
In line with this vision, the Armed Forces Command and Staff College has introduced new training packages tailored to the realities of modern conflict. These packages emphasize critical thinking, enabling officers to assess complex situations, make informed decisions under pressure, and adapt to rapidly evolving operational environments.
The training also places strong emphasis on air-to-ground integration, underscoring the growing need for joint operations across multiple domains to achieve decisive outcomes in modern military engagements.
The college has further embraced technology and innovation as key pillars of military education. Through the use of simulations, digital command tools, and emerging technologies, officers are being equipped to anticipate and effectively respond to future security challenges.
A major highlight of this transformation was the conduct of Exercise Haske Biyu, a first-of-its-kind exercise that tested the integration of new operational concepts in a realistic environment. The exercise demonstrated how critical thinking, joint operations, and technological applications can be effectively combined to counter unconventional threats.
As the graduating officers prepare to assume new responsibilities, they were urged to lead with integrity, make courageous decisions, care for their subordinates, and fully embrace jointness. The COAS reminded them that the uniform they wear is not merely a symbol of authority, but a covenant of service to Nigeria and its people.
He expressed confidence that the graduating officers would contribute significantly to the stability of Nigeria and the wider West African sub-region.
The event was attended by senior military officers, distinguished guests, and allied students from sister African countries. The COAS commended the participating nations for their commitment to fostering the African spirit of unity and cooperation, acknowledging the valuable perspectives they brought to the courses.
The Regimental Dinner Night concluded as a celebration of the achievements of Junior Course 100 and Senior Course 47, as well as the enduring values of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. The COAS expressed hope that the occasion would inspire the graduating officers to greater heights and mark the beginning of distinguished service to the nation.
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