Army: Training major component of fighting power —GOC
Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army (NA) and Commander of Operation SAFE HAVEN, has stated that training is the most important physical component of fighting power for troops in combat operations.
According to a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Ishaku Gaji Takwa, the Acting Deputy Director 3 Division Army Public Relations, General Abubakar said this at the combined graduation ceremony of the Engineer Basic Course(EBC) 5 and Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Course 1 of 2023 at the 43 Engineers Brigade Sappers Auditorium, Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos.
General Abubakar said, “For enhanced proficiency of troops in the field, training must be continual in the form of courses and exercises aimed at ensuring career progression”.
He revealed that the Division has conducted a series of training towards boosting the physical and mental capacity of troops in line with the Division’s training directive towards achieving operational successes.
The GOC/Comd OPSH stated that the change in the danger matrix within the Division’s Area of Responsibility dictated the necessity for robust training, therefore the introduction of the EOD course as countermeasures that are critical to attaining operational success.
While thanking the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, for his unwavering support and strategic leadership of the Division, which has resulted in positive strides, the GOC/Commander OPSH expressed optimism that the students’ skills will be put to good use in various combat engineer roles.
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The training he mentioned will act as a force multiplier for engineer personnel, whose tasks are becoming increasingly important in numerous theatres of operations.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Acting Commander, 43 Engineer Brigade, Colonel SM Iliya, revealed that the School has fulfilled its mission of promoting knowledge and innovation through realistic, rigorous training and research.
Colonel Iliya averred that the course curricula were designed to ensure the training of the troops was pragmatic and realistic.
He noted that the students were adequately instructed in both practical classes and outdoor exercises in line with the aims and objectives of the course.
He expressed the commitment of the Training School to continuously engage in the capacity development of Engineers for robust support to the Division in accomplishing set Missions.
Providing Course Highlights, Lieutenant Colonel A Saidu, Chief Instructor of the 43 Engineer Brigade Training School, stated that the graduants were educated in fieldwork, demolition, mine warfare, watermanship, and explosive ordnance disposal.
The best-graduating students were recognized, trees were planted, and a group photo was taken with the graduants.
