Leadership, most essential component of combat power on battlefield – COAS
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen Olufemi Oluyede, has urged middle level and junior leaders in the Nigerian Army to provide the required leadership needed on the battlefield for overall operational efficiency and success.
The COAS said transformational leadership is key in leading troops, sustaining their morale, motivating them and maintaining their fighting spirit on the battlefield.
He added that leadership is the most essential component of combat power on the battlefield, which no military will function without it.
The COAS said this at a seminar with the theme ‘Transformational Leadership and Nigeria Army Operational Effectiveness in a Joint and Multi -Agency Environment’, organised by the Army Department of Transformation and Innovation.
The seminar was held at 1 Division Nigerian Army, Kaduna on Thursday.
Represented by Major General Mayirenso Saraso, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division Nigerian Army, the COAS said the seminar came at a critical time, given the diverse security challenges confronting the nation.
He said by targeting junior and middle cadre personnel of the Nigerian Army, the discussion will highlight the need for leadership and effective followership at the tactical level, where battles and engagements are planned and executed to accomplish operational level objectives.
Oluyede said leadership is key in combat power and military effectiveness, as such it is important to build junior and middle cadre leaders with strong character, unwavering commitment, and the capacity to think quickly and make sound decisions.
“It is at this level that we have you participants, as frontline commanders who have it as a duty to lead men, sustain their morale, continually motivate them and maintain their fighting spirit in the most lethal and demanding environment of any battlefield.”
He said the Nigerian Army has continued to review its tactics, techniques and procedures to develop both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to decisively defeat all adversaries.
“The seminar is therefore, premised on the need to improve the Nigerian Army’s capacity in advancing its transformational leadership drive.
“As young leaders, in our Army, it is crucial that you are not only skilled in carrying out your duties but also possess the right attitude and leadership qualities to guide our troops on the frontiers to achieve our goals in line with our constitutional responsibilities.
“As you are all aware, leadership is the most essential component of combat power on the battlefield and the military cannot function without it. Therefore, every opportunity must be seized to learn and improve in this area.
“Additionally, the increasing threats posed by Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear weapons, is a current challenge to combat readiness, will be discussed during this all-important seminar.
“The aim is to raise awareness among personnel on the need to counter any acts of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear terrorism especially during military operations,” he said.
Oluyede implored the participants to take the seminar seriously, while applauding their loyalty and performance.
He assure them that the Army headquarters will continue to provide the resources, and direction they require to perform their roles.
The COAS reiterated their unwavering commitment to President Bola Tinubu, and hailed his invaluable support to the Nigerian Army towards ensuring success in its various operations.
“We must do well on our part to justify these resources and goodwill by consistently executing all assigned tasks swifty and in the most efficient and professional manner.”
The COAS appreciated the seasoned resource persons for sharing their knowledge and experiences during the deliberations.
“I am confident that your presence at this seminar will be of immense benefit to the participants and Nigerian Arny at large,” Oluyede said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chief of Transformation and Innovation Nigerian Army, Major General Olusegun Abai, said the seminar was designed to enhance leadership for improved regimentation, discipline and combat efficiency.
“The seminar is also aimed to create awareness and suggest measures to suppress the act of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear terrorism, which is gradually creeping into our operational domain as well as the importance of identifying and suppressing these threats in Nigeria.”
According to him, the emergence of these threats is exposing Nigeria Army personnel to harmful and hazardous conditions across various theatres of operations.
He urged the participants to be open minded and contribute positively to make the seminar worthwhile.
