The Chief of Naval Staff, (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, on Saturday charged the 360 members of the Junior Ccourse 97, to be committed to professional standards and respect for the rule of law.
Ogalla gave the charge at the graduation ceremony to members of Junior Course 97 , of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji Military Cantonment, Kaduna State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 360 students comprised officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, friendly nations as well as Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
They included officers from sister countries of Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, The Gambia, Mali, Sierra-Leone, Togo and Zimbabwe.
Ogalla said the junior course formed a major pillar in building officers’ career and felicitated them on their successful completion of the course.
He said the college has a core objective of developing professional knowledge and understanding of selected officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and allied countries as well as nominees from strategic ministries, departments and agencies.
“The College is achieving its objectives, especially now that efforts to curb insecurity and asymmetry warfare require collaboration as well as a whole-of-government approach.
“I am also aware that you were guided to better appreciate time management, staff skills and esprit-de-corps amongst others.
“I believe you have come to understand that most situations previously perceived to be impossible, were not insurmountable.
“Having successfully completed this course, it is appropriate to presume that you are prepared to operate effectively as staff officers and junior commanders in your respective Services and organisations,” Ogalla said.
He said that the appellation ‘Passed Junior Staff Course’ conferred much responsibility on the officers in terms of the desired quality and expected output.
“This graduation is an endorsement of your capacity for higher appointments and greater responsibilities,” the CNS said.
He urged the graduands to bear in mind that the Junior Course package prepared them towards meeting diverse staff requirements in future endeavours.
“You must therefore remain open minded to learn from your superiors and contemporaries in the field.
“For members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the skills you have acquired would immediately be required as we continue to confront diverse security challenges at various operating environments.
“Your conduct must therefore be in accordance with professional standards and respect for rule of law.
“You will be judged by these virtues not only as members of the Armed Forces but also as ambassadors of this prestigious institution, ” Ogalla added
The CNS reaffirmed the assurance of President Bola Tinubu’s continuous support to the Armed Forces in the attainment of their statutory roles.
“We, therefore, remain grateful and loyal to the Commander-in-Chief for his unwavering support at all times,” Ogalla said.
He acknowledged the graduands from Defence Intelligence Agency, Defence Space Administration, Department of State Services and National Intelligence Agency.
“To our colleagues from sister countries of Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, The Gambia, Mali, Sierra-Leone, Togo and Zimbabwe, I congratulate you all for making your respective countries and families proud by successfully completing the Course.
“I believe the course has provided you the opportunity of forging enduring friendships while also appreciating some differences in culture and doctrines in comparison to your countries, “Ogalla said.
He urged them to nurture the relationships and spirit of camaraderie you have established as this would go a long way in fostering synergy and long-standing collaboration.
Cross section of students of Junior course 97, of AFCSC on Saturday in Kaduna.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commandant, AFCSC , AVM Hassan Alhaji said the graduation of Junior Course 97 was an important milestone in the career of the graduating students.
Alhaji said the course was the 97th set of junior officers to be graduated since inception of this prestigious College in 1976.
He said the junior course was a course with intense field training exercises and academic activities designed to develop the command, analytical and communication skills of junior officers.
“As you go back to your respective countries and agencies, please be good ambassadors of the College and continue to sustain the friendships you have developed here, “Alhaji said.
NAN report that highlight of the event was award given to some deserving graduating students who distinguished themselves.(NAN)
