Pulse.ng : Leadership, management crucial in military operations- Commandant, AFCSC

By Muhammad Tijjani

The Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College(AFCSC) Jaji, AVM Hassan Alhaji says leadership and management are crucial phenomena in determining the operational effectiveness of the military against adversaries.

Alhaji stated this at a five-day Leadership and Management Seminar course 44 at the Warrant Officers’ Academy, Jaji Military Cantonment on Monday in Kaduna.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the Seminar is” Developing Junior Leadership Skills to Enhance Competence within a Joint Environment”.

The commandant said: “Globally leadership and management are crucial phenomena. They are even more crucial for us in the profession of arms.

”This is because decisions we make arising from our leadership and management positions or responsibilities about people under us impact greatly and can determine operational effectiveness in the long run.

”No matter the level of leadership, whether at the highest or lowest, there is a linkage as all the decisions taken at both levels would impact the overall objective of the organisation.”

According to Alhaji, where leadership is ineffective, it is bound to negatively affect the organisation, adding,”which in this case refers to our formations, battalions, regiments and units.

“Considering the dynamic nature of warfare, especially challenges relating to junior leadership encountered in the
various theatres of operations, the importance of this event cannot be over-emphasized.

“A close look at the various crises in and around the country today indicates the requirement for high standards in all aspects of military leadership and management,.”

Alhaji urged the participants to have a positive mindset towards the interactions that the various lectures would generate.

He said, “This is bearing in mind that you have crucial roles to play in the overall decision-making process in your formation, battalions, regiments and deployments.”

He urged them to prepare to be role models for their subordinates and make contributions to team ethos and operational effectiveness.

Alhaji appreciated the commandant and the Nigerian Army authorities for organising the training for the warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers who are the backbone of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Earlier, the Commandant of the Academy, Brig.-Gen. Auwal Mahmuda, said the seminar was part of a series of training packages in the academy’s curriculum.

He said that they were tailored towards bridging the leadership and management gap between the commissioned officers and the enlisted cadre.

Muhmuda said that the seminar would provide the students a unique opportunity to share perspectives, experiences and personal views on the closely-related lecture topics and presentations.

He said that the academy was the apex military training institution for Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers.

Mahmuda said, ” This implies that it holds the vital tools for the re-orientation and restructuring of this cadre of men and women in the Nigerian Armed Forces.

”The training packages in the academy are designed to develop requisite skills.

”This is to address critical areas that were identified as factors militating against effective junior leadership and man-management in both peace and war situations.

“Interestingly, the students of this course include personnel of the Nigerian Air Force and allied students from the
The Republic of Liberia and the Gambia.”

He stated that the academy has just received nominees from the Nigerian Navy for the screening exercise to select students for the next course.

Mahmuda said, “This development aptly resonates with the Chief of Army Staff’s Command Philosophy.

”Which is ‘To Transform the NA into a Well-Trained, Equipped and Highly Motivated Force Towards Achieving the Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint Environment”.

He disclosed that the resource persons, comprising senior officers, both serving and retired, have been invited for the seminar.

”They are programmed to deliver lectures, make presentations and share their vast and diverse experiences,” Mahmuda said.