The Director Personnel Services (Army) Maj Gen LA Fejokwu has described languages as the best mirrors of the human mind. He made this known during the inauguration ceremony of Indigenous Languages Proficiency Course 8/20 for officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army (NA) held at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Abuja.
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In addition, he said that the ability to communicate with the local population is a key requirement for success in the human domain of operations which hinges on mastery of indigenous languages in the operating environment.
He further explained that if officers and soldiers are to adequately fit into the domestic security environment and be on top of the contemporary security challenges, they need to be proficient in local languages, particularly the three major ones; Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. He also enjoined the participants to show commitment in order to justify the resources committed to the project with a view to actualizing the NA’s Language Policy.
Earlier, the Director General, NARC Maj Gen GA Wahab (Rtd) in his welcome address expressed his profound gratitude to COAS for his continues commitment in ensuring that the course runs and as when due. He explained that the Languages Proficiency Course was conceived to key into the COAS’ vision to make officers and soldiers of the NA proficient in two indigenous languages other than their mother tongue.
By LCpl Augustine Nwoba