A contingent of 62 troops who have undergone training at the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC) has been deployed to Mali for peacekeeping duties under the auspices of the Multi-Dimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission (MINUSMA).
They were drawn mainly from the Nigerian Army Medical Corps and are to man the Level 8 II Hospital under MINUSMA.
The deployment was after a three-week intensive and comprehensive training in line with the United Nations pre-deployment modules.
Commandant of the MLALPKC, Major General Auwal Fagge, said at the graduation ceremony of the Nigerian Medical (NIMED) Level 8 II Hospital MINUSMA Mali pre-deployment training in Jaji, Kaduna State, said the troops underwent the four phases of the pre-deployment training.
“Phase 1 of the training involved weapon training, basic military skills and lane, phase 2 exposed troops to UN specific peacekeeping training which covered the core pre deployment training material.”
“It also covered relevant lesson in some standardizes training material include cross cutting thematic issues like protection of civilian, conflict related sexual violence, child protection and sexual exploitation and abuse.
“In phase 3, troops went through mission specific training aimed at impacting practical knowledge on mission environment mandates, tasks, culture of the host nation and other specific training such as ROEs through scenario base exercise and phase 4 involved the integration training which brings together all the theoretical lesson to enhance decision making within the unit and the vitalization of the real mission condition.”
General Fagge said the center will continue to provide quality training for troops earmarked for peace support operations in order to prepare them for multidimensional challenges in contemporary peacekeeping environments, which have become very dynamic and complex.
“The philosophy behind the training is in line with headquarters’ vision of deploying quality peacekeepers for peace support operations. The mission specific training received by the units is meant to provide the troops with requisite skills to enable them operate under the prevailing condition in Mali, in a most professional manner,” he added.
The Chief of Training, Army Headquarters, Major Abdulslam Ibrahim, who was the guest of honour noted that the technique and procedure impacted on the troops during the training will put them in a good frame of mind to discharge their duties in the mission area.
Represented by Deputy Chief of Training, Brigadier-General Hassan T. Dada, he said the pre-deployment training was aimed at equipping troops with the knowledge and expertise to function in peace support operations.