Pulse.ng : NASI graduates tactical courses students to enhance national security

By Mohammed Tijjani

The Nigerian Army School of infantry (NASI), on Thursday graduated students of its 2024 Tactics and Support Weapons Courses for the Third and Fourth Quarter.

The combined graduation ceremony was held at Lt-Gen. Iheajirika Auditorium in Jaji Military Cantonment, Kaduna State.

In his speech, Commandant of NASI, Major General Oluyemi Olatoye said that the courses focussed on leadership and tactical drills to prepare the participants for the current security challenges.

He urged the participants to apply the knowledge gained in the discharge of their responsibilities when they return to their various units and formations.

The commandant also advised the young officers and soldiers to utilise their experiences and the interactions during the courses to excel in the field.

“The exposure from these courses will assist the students in their current and future appointments and performances in the field, and in handling greater responsibilities in the Nigerian Army,” he added.

Olatoye appreciated the Chief of Army Staff, Lt- Gen. Olufemi Oluyede for his interest and commitment to the retraining of personnel even while serving as the Commandant of the Infantry Corps.

This, he said, will reposition Nigerian Army personnel to excel in the defence of the country.

The Commandant thanked the Chief of Training (Army), Major General SG Muhammed for his unflinching drive to personnel training, as well as the doggedness of the NASI Deputy Commandant, Brigadier General Abubakar Bello, and all instructors and staff for their sacrifices and ensuring the successful completion of the courses.

“These sacrifices are well appreciated and you are urged to sustain them,” he said.

Earlier, the Acting Instructor, Tactics Wing, Lt-Col MT Nasiru, said during the training, the students went through series of lectures, presentations, and outdoor exercises.

Nasiru also said they were exposed to leadership packages by other wings in NASI, the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Nigerian Defence Academy, Warrant Offivers’ Academy, Martin Luther Agwai Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, among others.

According to him, seasoned senior officers, both serving and retired, shared their experiences with the participants on various aspects of soldiering.

The courses training curriculum spanned across Tactics, Map Reading, Estimate Process, Improvised Explosive Device Awareness Drills, Internal Security, Military Law, Staff Duties and Regimentation.

It equally dwelt on the students’ mental alertness and physical fitness, and “most importantly, emphasis was on discipline as discipline is the bedrock of the Nigerian Army.

Similarly, the Acting Chief Instructor, Support Weapons Wing, Lt-Col. Victor Oche said leadership packages were introduced into the curriculum to equip the students with the requisite skills to administer unit personnel and equipment.

Oche said the graduating students have acquired the requisite skills that will enhance their professional performance in their respective units or any appointment commensurate to their rank.

“They have therefore met the mandatory requirements both in character and learning in their respective courses,” he said.

The courses include Commanding Officers’ Course 46, Company Commanders’ Course 78, Young Officers’ Course (YOC) 142, Tactics Instructors’ Course 25, Infantry Non-Commissioned Officers’ Course 39 and Tactics Instructors’ Course 31.

Others included Anti-Tank Platoon Commanders’ Course 73, Machine-Gun Non Commissioned Officers’ Course 66, Mortar Section Commanders’ Course 88 and Basic Survellance Course 13.