Use Your Minds, Not Just Your Medals – Army Chief Urges Officers

Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has urged strategic stakeholders and top military officers to turn strategy into tangible actions in order to address Nigeria’s problems.
At the Nigerian Army Resource Center’s (NARC) Strategic Management and Policy Study Course 7/2024 graduation, Oluyede reportedly gave the charge on Friday in Abuja.
Oluyede, who was represented by Maj.-Gen. Gbemiga Adesina, Director-General of the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Center, encouraged the 25 graduating officers to use their education for the advancement of the country.

“This course focuses on using strategy, leadership, and innovation to make things happen in your organizations and for the country; it is not just about theory,” the COAS stated.

“You have to be a change agent. Your next task will be for Nigeria’s advancement outside of this classroom. Use everything you’ve learned here for your own development, the benefit of your organizations, and the advancement of our country and humanity.

He said the training educated officers to lead in a rapidly evolving security and governance environment by combining policy, entrepreneurship, psychology, and research.

The NARC’s Director-General, retired Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab, characterized the initiative as a means of fostering mutual understanding, cooperation, and trust amongst security, defense, and civic agencies.

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He claimed that organizations including the NYSC, Defense Intelligence, and the Department of State Services had faith in the course, which has grown steadily and currently has one of the largest classes.

“Collaboration cannot work if we don’t know each other’s strengths, weaknesses, and perspectives. That’s what this course offers,” Wahab stated.

In order to overcome national obstacles, he encouraged participants to make use of their networks and abilities.

Nobody is an expert in everything. What you see as white, someone else may see as black, the point is to exchange ideas and learn from one another,” Wahab added.

Course President, Maj.-Gen. Sunday Igbinomwanhia, expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Army, NARC, and partner institutions for the opportunity to undergo the strategic training.

It was reported that the participants completed 11 months of intensive academic work, earning a master’s degree from the Nigerian Defence Academy and a Fellowship of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre.

They were inducted on Thursday ahead of the official graduation ceremony.