The Nigerian Army says it will optimize the competencies in the Nigerian Army Education Corps (NAEC) in terms of its operational techniques, training manuals and curriculum to meet the contemporary security threats demands.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, said this on Wednesday while declaring open the Nigerian Army Education Corps’ Combined First and Second Quarter Conference at the Sobi Cantonment, Ilorin.
The event with the theme “Revitalising NAEC for Greater Educational and Operational Relevance” also featured the Third Edition of Research Development and Innovation Exhibition of the corps.
Shaibu, represented by the Theatre Commander, JTF-North Central Operation Savannah Shield, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, said the theme of the conference was not only apt but timely.
“The corps seeks to explore more viable ways of optimising its inherent competencies in furtherance of the Nigerian Army’s operational and administrative objectives.
“This firmly aligns with two key pillars of our Command Philosophy, which are Sound Administration and Professional Excellence.
“The provision of sound and qualitative education through our Command Schools and tertiary institutions, facilitated by the Education Corps, is critical to our welfare initiatives for personnel and their families.
“It is in this regard that notable initiatives such as the upgrade of our schools to Model Command Secondary Schools across the six geo-political zones are underway, among other interventions.
“These are designed to ameliorate the pressure on personnel as they seek qualitative education for their wards within the economic realities,” he said.
The COAS said it is pertinent to highlight the contributions of the Education Corps in maintaining the war diaries, which have helped to chronicle events and draw lessons learnt to enhance the conduct of future operations.
“The exhibition provides an avenue for secondary and tertiary institutions administered by NAEC to demonstrate their innovative capabilities and provide solutions to the prevailing administrative and operational challenges plaguing the Nigerian Army.
“These efforts reflect the Nigeria First Policy of President Bola Tinubu,” he said.
The Army boss also assured the corps of addressing deficiencies of manpower required to effectively deliver on the corps’ mandate and its efforts at repositioning the command schools to be competitive.
Earlier in his remarks, the Acting Corps Commander Education, Brig.-Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed, said the conference provided a strategic platform for NAEC to review its programmes, evaluate ongoing reforms and chart practical pathways.
He said the pathways would enhance NAEC’s contribution to the operational effectiveness and administrative efficiency of the Nigerian Army.
Ahmed added that the theme aptly reflects NAEC’s commitment to repositioning to meet evolving educational, technological and security demands while remaining responsive to the needs of the service and the nation.
“The inclusion of the Third Edition of the Research, Development and Innovation Exhibition further demonstrates our resolve to promote creativity, indigenous innovation and evidence-based problem-solving.
“By showcasing research outputs and technological solutions developed within our institutions, the exhibition highlights the capacity of the corps to contribute meaningfully to addressing contemporary military and educational challenges while supporting national development.
“It also reinforces the Nigerian Army’s drive towards professionalism, self-reliance and innovation,” he said.
He commended the consideration of COAS to upgrade some of the existing command secondary schools to Model Command Secondary Schools across the geo-political zones in the country as well as a Model Command Technical School.
The acting commander expressed optimism that the outcomes of the conference would contribute significantly to the continued transformation of the Nigerian Army and the advancement of national security.
