The Director General (DG) of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) Maj Gen Johnny Hamakim (rtd) has described languages as the best mirrors of the human mind. This was made known during the inauguration ceremony of Indigenous Languages Proficiency Course 3 for officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army (NA).
The DG, who was represented by the Director of International Alliances and Linkages, Brig Gen NJ Anene said that the ability to communicate with the local population is a key requirement for success in human domain of operations and within the operating environment.
The Representative of the DG 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.
According to him, with the emergence of the human domain of operation in the 21st Century, the battlespace has changed. He said that, “the military objective in the human domain should be influence, and dominating the human domain is the ability to influence targeted individuals and groups better than adversary’’.
He 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. He thanked the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) for the confidence he reposed in NARC and the opportunity given to us to drive his vision of making NA officers and soldiers proficient in local languages.
Amongst the dignitaries who witnessed the occasion were the Director of Training, Brig Gen SN Bitrus, Director of Administration, Brig Gen AA Orukotan, Acting Director Research Innovation and Campaign Analysis Col PC Obilor, other senior officers, officers, soldiers and civilian staff of the Centre.
