The Chief of Administration (Army) Major General OW Ali has said that personnel of the Nigerian Army should be proficient in Nigerian languages other than their mother tongue.
He made this known during the inauguration ceremony of the participants of Indigenous Languages Proficiency Course 11/2022 at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre Conference Hall C, TY Buratai Block, Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Asokoro Abuja.
In his inaugural speech, Major General OW Adesina who was the Special Guest of Honour and also represented by the Director, Personnel Services, Major General GO Adesina said the Indigenous Languages Course is designed to ensure that cultural sensitivity is improved in our personnel. He noted that the previous ten course had recorded tremendous successes and it informs the need to continue the course adding that the aim of the course is to ensure that every personnel is proficient in the three major Nigerian languages which are Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba.
The Special Guest of Honour maintained that Nigeria is a multi-ethnicity with the largest number of indigenous languages in West Africa sub-regions. “Languages are seen as the best mirrors of human mind. Consequently, a key requirement for success in the human domain of operations is the ability to communicate with local population which hinges on mastery of indigenous languages in the operating environment”, he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General (DG), Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Major General GA Wahab retired, noted that indigenous languages is key to resolved conflict in the society. , one needs to understand the three indigenous languages in order to achieve one’s operational goals. He intimated them that the course is mainly for officers and soldiers of 82 Division, 6 Division of Nigerian Army and other departments of the Army Headquarters
General Wahab admonished the participants to maintain discipline and decorum throughout the course, as no act of indiscipline will be tolerated. He also advised the participants to take the course serious and make good use of the opportunity of being in the Centre.
