The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has charged soldiers to uphold professionalism, discipline and operational excellence in Nigeria’s newly established military formations.

Mr Shaibu gave the charge to the graduating soldiers from Exercise Restore Hope X in Kachia, Kaduna State, on Friday.

A statement by the acting director of Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, quoted Mr Shaibu as saying the graduates would form the nucleus of new divisions, formations and units created to improve the Nigerian Army’s force disposition and operational responsiveness to evolving security threats.

He said the exercise remained the flagship of the army’s post-basic infantry training framework designed to sharpen combat proficiency, strengthen the warrior ethos and prepare soldiers for the realities of contemporary military operations.

According to him, the graduation comes at a defining period in the ongoing transformation and expansion of the Nigerian Army.

He said President Bola Tinubu had approved the restructuring of the army through the establishment of additional divisions, formations and units to enhance operational effectiveness.

“Many of you will constitute the nucleus of these new formations and are expected to translate your training into operational effectiveness,” he said.

Mr Shaibu urged the graduands to justify the investment in their training through exceptional professionalism, sound judgment and unwavering commitment to mission accomplishment.

He charged them with remaining physically fit, mentally agile and technologically proficient while adapting to emerging threats and embracing innovation.

The COAS also urged the soldiers to uphold discipline, respect the rule of law, protect human rights and strictly comply with the rules of engagement throughout their careers.

He described sustained investment in realistic, mission-oriented training as critical to building a highly skilled fighting force capable of achieving decisive operational success.

Mr Shaibu expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for supporting the army’s operational, training and administrative requirements.

He said the president’s strategic guidance and continued investment had accelerated the army’s transformation and force expansion initiatives.

Earlier, the chief of training (army), Maj.-Gen. Valentine Okoro, described Exercise Restore Hope X as a critical pillar of the Nigerian Army’s training architecture.

Mr Okoro said the programme had consistently produced highly motivated and combat-ready soldiers who distinguished themselves in various theatres of operation.

He said that trainees were exposed to realistic operational scenarios, tactical operations, marksmanship, field craft, combat endurance, leadership development and counter-insurgency operations.

According to him, the exercise significantly enhanced the trainees’ confidence, decision-making ability and battlefield competence.

Mr Okoro added that the programme had strengthened institutional capacity by standardising post-basic infantry training and refining instructional methodologies across Army training establishments.

 (NAN)