By Abdul Abdul, Jos
The Nigerian Army has organised a sensitisation workshop for officers and men of its 3 Division, Rukuba, Jos, on effect of drug abuse, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) management and Lesson Learned Process.
Declaring the event open in Jos, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division, Major General Abdusalam Abubakar, described the exercise as apt as it was in line with his command’s philosophy.
General Lagbaja explained that the exercise, organised by the Army’s Department of Transformation and Innovation, is aimed at enhancing performance among personnel.
”This sensitisation programme is one of the many measures emplaced to raise the necessary awareness in troops on the myriads of complex security challenges in Nigeria. The challenges impose enormous responsibility on the Nigerian army as well as the officers and men.
”In line with these expectations, the Nigerian army has continued to review its tactics, techniques and procedures in order to come up with both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to defeat these challenges. This programme is, therefore, premised on the need to improve the capacity of our personnel toward understanding the Nigerian army Lessons Leaned Process,” he said.
Lagbaja said that the exercise also sought to rekindle the critical thinking skill in all commanders through creativity as well as the responsibility of the men, in line with his command philosophy.
He said it was aimed at transforming the Nigerian army into a well-trained, equipped and highly motivated force toward achieving its constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment.
”Also, to look at the prevailing incidents of drug and substance abuse as well as PTSD, among troops deployed in theatres of operation is quite worrisome. It will also look at troops’ awareness on the effects and management of drug/ substance abuse and PTSD- all in a bid to enhance combat effectiveness.
”Accordingly, commanders at all levels must continue to come up with innovative measures to upscale their approaches toward reducing battle fatigue, improve man-management and battle readiness.
”Lessons must continually be identified and included in our day to day planning processes. These lessons can be derived from both mistakes and successes and thus, must be properly analysed and applied in order to reduce operational cost,’’ the COAS said.