Army leveraging Islamic guidance to reinforce discipline, morality among soldiers
By Muhammad Maitela, Damaturu
The Nigerian Army Directorate of Islamic Affairs has pledged to renew initiatives to combat drug and substance abuse, and leverage Islamic guidance to reinforce discipline and morality among soldiers.
The Directorate made the commitment at the opening of its Annual Training Week and Conference, on Monday in Damaturu, the Yobe state capital.
The event, which has the theme “Soldier First Concept,” is focused on the critical role of Army Imams in producing combat-ready force.
It is also a commitment to the efforts being made by the Army in combining psychological support with spiritual guidance to ensure a drug-free and professionally effective military.
In his address, Brigadier General Usman Musa, Director of Islamic Affairs, Nigerian Army stated that the conference was designed to align with the Chief of Army Staff’s philosophy of building a “well-motivated, combat-ready force.”
He explained that the mandate of the Directorate is to impart Islamic tenets of discipline, courage, and moral responsibility to personnel.
Brig. Gen. Musa commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General O O. Oluyede for his visionary and transformative leadership, and thanked the Yobe State Government and the Emir of Damaturu for their support.
In his speech, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni described the theme as “timely and relevant” given the nation’s security challenges.
He highlighted the psychological toll of combat, acknowledging that prolonged exposure to conflict has led some soldiers to abuse drugs as a coping mechanism.
“The role of Nigerian Army Imams is crucial in fostering discipline, courage, and moral conduct among soldiers,” he said.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Idi Barde Gubana, said the Qur’anic admonitions can drastically reduce negative habits, and praised the Army’s Post-Stress Traumatic Disorder Management (PSTDM) programme and urged that compassion guide the rehabilitation of affected personnel.
He also commended the Army’s efforts in improving security in Yobe and the Northeast, which has made it possible to host the conference.
The Syndicate reports that the two-day conference is a significant step in the Army’s comprehensive approach to soldiers’ welfare, and in combining psychological support with spiritual guidance to ensure a drug-free and professionally effective military.
