The Nigerian Army Resource Centre, in collaboration with Laclic Services Limited, a leading language school and cultural institution in Nigeria, has trained 51 officers and 113 soldiers in indigenous language proficiency.
The languages include Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo, among others.
Speaking at the Course Four graduation ceremony in Abuja Thursday, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, represented by the Chief of Army administration, Maj. Gen. Kuta Isiyaku, commended the participants for their commitment and discipline during the course.
He said: “From the feedback I received, you have made the best of the two months you spent in this centre and displayed a high degree of commitment, enthusiasm and discipline. I am, therefore, convinced that you have all benefited from the programme.
“My approval for Nigerian Army Resource Centre to drive the indigenous language proficiency course for Nigerian Personnel was informed by the prevalent domestic security environment, with threat of terrorism, insurgency, ethno-religious clashes, cattle rustling, armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism and proliferation of small arms and light weapons across the country.
“As you all know, internal security and counter insurgency operations are intelligence driven. Therefore, the Nigerian Army ability to adequately and professionally respond to these domestic security challenges depends largely on their ability to communicate and interacts effectively with the local populace. Thus, proficiency in the local languages will facilitate the Nigerian Army ability to operate and dominate the local operating environment.”
Earlier, the director-general, Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Maj. Gen. Garba Ayodeji Wahab (retd.), said, “One of the cardinal objectives of the training was to reposition the resource centre to develop competencies to take over the teaching of foreign and local languages that may be required based on the exigencies confronting the Nigerian Army.”
Meanwhile, Gen. Buratai has been inducted into Laclic’s hall of fame in addition to being given award of excellence.
According to the regional director, Laclic Services Olueze Ifeyinwa, the award is in recognition of Buratai’s leadership qualities and service to the nation.
