The Army Headquarters Department of Army Transformation and Innovation (AHQ DATI), organised sensitization lectures on Nigerian Army (NA) Lessons Learned (LL) Process, Drug Abuse and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for Troops of 2 Division NA. The event was held on Wednesday 24 July 2024, at Headquarters 2 Divusion NA, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, NAM, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, stated in his opening remarks, that the sensitization was necessitated by the myriads of complex security challenges bedeviling Nigeria.

He stressed that in line with the prevailing circumstances, the NA continues to review its operational tactics, techniques and procedures in order to profer best possible strategies to defeat the nation’s adversaries. “This lecture series is therefore one of the tools emplaced to address these challenges,” he added.

Further delivering the COAS’ remarks, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division NA, Major General Obinna Onubogu, said that the lectures aim to get officers and soldiers of 2 Division, to understand the NA LL Process and develop capacity to enhance their fighting capability.

He noted that lessons could be derived from mistakes and successes which have gone through effective analysis; adding that proper understanding and application of the process, reduces operational cost as well as enhances combat effectiveness.

The COAS, also expressed displeasure at the growing incidences of drug and substance abuse as well as PTSD amongst troops deployed in several theatres of operations; saying the lectures were deliberate to sensitize troops on NA LL and the negative consequences of drug and substance abuse as well as possible management procedures and prevention of PTSD.

He therefore charged Commanders at all levels, to redouble their efforts and come up with innovative means of improving their leadership styles in order to ensure mission success. Participants were also charged by the COAS, to consider the lectures a privilege opportunity to get better informed and live reasonably.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief of Transformation and Innovation – Army, Major General Zakari Abubakar, who was represented by the Director, LL, AHQ DATI, Major General Frank Etim, noted that the lectures were designed to enlighten personnel of 2 Division on NA LL process, drug abuse and PTSD management.

He said it would equally expose and guide participants on how to extract, collate and analyse leasons in order to avoid repeating past mistakes. He added that the lectures will appraise the psychology and behavioural concerns amongst personnel, noting the prevailing incidences of drug and substance abuse, and PTSD.

The COTI (A), also said, “these topics were carefully crafted to draw awareness to issues which affect military professionalism, personnel conduct and combat effectiveness. He expressed appreciation to the COAS for his guidance and for providing the department with the needed resources for the lectures.

The lectures featured carefully selected Resource Persons. Brigadier General Jamiu Are, delivered the lecture on LL, while Lieutenant Colonel Susan Dibal (Rtd) and Superintendent of narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mutiat Okuwobi, made their presentations on PTSD and Drug abuse respectively.

Participants were drawn from HQ 2 Division and other units under command. There were robust interactive sessions and presentation of souvenirs.

POLYCARP OKOYE
Lieutenant Colonel
Acting Deputy Director
Army Public Relations
2 Division Nigerian Army
25 July 2024