On Sunday, fewer than 273 army officers began a week-long Senior Staff Course Qualifying Examination (SSCQE) held at the Jaji Military Cantonment in Kaduna.

The Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) of the Nigerian Army conducts the SSCQE.

The president of the exam board, Kelvin Aligbe, said it was a major prerequisite for the officers to attend the Senior Staff Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji and other staff colleges overseas.

He stressed the need for the officers to qualify for the course, which required no further emphasis.

Aligbe, TRADOC commander, said, “I believe that while majority of you are on the first attempt, others are attempting the examination for the second or third time.”

He assured all the candidates they could pass the examination without resorting to illegal or fraudulent means.

Mr Aligbe informed them that a team of competent and dedicated examination panel members had worked in the past week to prepare it.

Mr Aligbe assured that all the serious-minded and hardworking candidates amongst them had nothing to fear. He explained that the examination was about writing a test and assessing “your present level of proficiency.”

Mr Aligbe reminded the candidates that they were on a crucial assignment and that their conduct during the examination could make or mar their careers.

Earlier in his address, the commander of the Infantry Corps, Olufemi Oluyede, said the importance of the examination cannot be over-emphasised. He said it aimed to elevate the candidates to the middle cadre of the army.

Mr Oluyede urged the candidates to do their best to be successful.

“Let me also remind you on the need to abide by the rules of the exam and the requirement to maintain highest level of integrity and discipline expected of officers and gentlemen,” Mr Oluyede said.

(NAN)