Armed Force Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, on Saturday, graduated 174 Junior officers after a 23-week training.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Junior Course 88 participants, comprised 86 officers from the Army, 42 Navy, 29 Air Force and nine non-military students from Defence Intelligence Agency, Customs, Nigerian Defence Academy, National Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Office of National Security Adviser.
They also include eight international officers; two from the Gambia and one each from the Republics of Cameroon, Congo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Niger and Togo.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas, in his speech, congratulated the 174 officers on their successful graduation.
Ibas, who commended them for their perseverance throughout the programme, said having successfully completed the course, he was hopeful that they were now better informed and prepared to operate effectively as Grade 3 staff officers and junior commanders in their respective organisations or countries.
“I enjoin you to note that the appellation, ‘Pass Junior Staff Course’ confers much responsibility on you, anywhere in the world in terms of the desired quality and quantum output of your field and staff work.
“You must therefore understand that this graduation is an endorsement of your capacity for higher appointment and greater responsibilities that would challenge the skills you have imbibed here in the college.
“For members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the skills you acquired from this course would immediately come into reckoning as we continue to confront diverse mutating internal security challenges in the country,” he said.
According to Ibas, as junior commanders, they must brace up to the task ahead with courage and conviction.
“With the advent of technology, nothing is hidden in today’s world.
“Your conduct must therefore be in accordance with the highest professional standards in terms of integrity, excellence and compliance with extant military laws and rules of engagement, including respect for the rule of law.
“You will be judged by these virtues not only as members of the armed force but also as ambassadors of this prestigious institution,” he said.
Ibas also congratulated officers from sister countries.
“You have each done your respective countries and your family proud by successfully completing this course.
“I believe the programme has provided you the rare chance of forging enduring friendship while also appreciating each other’s lifestyle, culture and doctrine.
“I urge you to continue to nurture the relationship you have established here as this will go a long way in fostering synergy and long-standing fraternal military cooperation between our nations,” Ibas said.
Earlier, the Commandant of AFCSC, AVM Lawal Alao, said the course featured intense field training and academic activities designed to build the capacity of the officers with the appropriate skills to function as Grade 3 Staff Officers.
Alao added that the training was also to prepare them to function effectively as tactical level officers in the Armed Forces.
“The course is also aimed at developing the command, analytical and communication skills of the students in order to equip them to efficiently operate during single service, joint or combined and multi-agency operations,” he said.
The commandant thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and other leaders in the country for all the supports and encouragement the college had received in recent times.
NAN reports that awards were giving to individuals who distinguished themselves during the course.
