The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General. Faruk Yahaya, has re-iterated the need to x-ray the nation’s security architecture through other lenses other than kinetic method.
The COAS Yahaya said this during the inauguration of the Strategic Management and Policy Studies Course 5/2022 at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), on Thursday 24 November 2022 at Conference Hall C, TY Buratai Block in Abuja.
He said that security had expanded beyond the old state-centric dimension to now cover all human endeavors.
The COAS said the course was, therefore, designed to examine security through other lenses apart from pure kinetic engagement which most of the participants were used to.
According to him, factors like food and physical security, poverty reduction and employment through the development of Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises amongst others, would be examined.
“I am aware that participants will be examining and analysing such pronouncements and related activities on which actions of the various ministries, agencies and departments are based.
“Understanding all these will stand you in great stead on various capacities both within your organizations and beyond.
“Furthermore, as strategic leaders in your respective services and agencies, knowledge is crucial to your performance and this is not about a specific issue or discipline but an understanding of all human endeavours,” he said.
Yahaya said the course was also about imparting knowledge in different spheres of human activities as part of professional military education and personal development of participants.
According to him, it was conceived and developed as part of the human capacity development’s mandate of NARC to proffer research-based solutions to defence and security challenges.
According to him, a major element for the course is the development of closer inter-personal relationship among the participants that will be beneficial to them and the country.
The COAS thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his untiring support to the Nigerian army and pledged their loyalty in the protection of Nigeria’s territorial integrity and fledgling democracy.
The Director General, NARC, retired Maj. Gen. Garba Wahab, said training remained the bedrock of any profession, especially the military.
Wahab said the 11 months course was being run in conjunction with NDA and other collaborators to equip the participants with other perspectives in the war against insecurity.
According to him, the Centre is looking at poverty alleviation, employment and the need to engage the youth.
“The issue of micro, small and medium enterprises are examined seriously so that when they look at the policies affecting those things, they can actually advise.
“Let us reduce poverty because it will assist in engaging the youth, so that those who are readily available to be used for bad things are reduced and security improved,” he said.
Wahab said the participants were drawn from the Nigerian Police, Department of State Services, Customs, FRSC, Defence Intelligence Agency and National Youth Service Corps, among others.
