From Molly Kilete, Abuja
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has emphasised the pivotal place of officers career planning and management in ensuring sound administration and professionalism in the Nigerian Army.
The COAS, who made this known at the 5th edition of Army Headquarters (AHQ) Department of Military Secretary Career Planning and Management seminar in Abuja, said that investing in career progression and management of officers is essential for building a strong and capable leadership cadre which aligns with one of the pillars of his command philosophy. Speaking at the seminar themed, ” Efficient Human Resources Management in the Twenty-First Century: Imperatives for Sustaining a Professional Nigerian Army in a Joint Environment” the COAS harped on the critical role that structured career development plays in shaping any military.
While noting that the seminar has been carefully designed to expose participants to human resource management in an increasingly complex setting like the Nigerian Army, the COAS, revealed that a lot has changed in the Nigerian Army in the past decade regarding recruitment drive, personnel administration and manpower development, hence the need for a more efficient manpower management system and policy adjustments.
The COAS noted that the theme of the seminar is apt and responsive, as it synchronises with the objectives of his Command Philosophy, especially at a period when the Nigerian Army leadership is challenged by how to better manage the career of young and middle cadre officers, who have continued to endure sustained deployments across theatres, vis a vis the need to maintain regimentation and professionalism.
General Lagbaja commended the Military Secretary (Army) and the entire Department for organising the Seminar and going the extra mile to bring together eminent personalities and resource persons.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Military Secretary (Army), Major General Eyitayo Oyinlola, stated that the AHQ Military Secretary organised the seminar in support of its vital role in managing the careers of NA officers, adding that the department has been decisive in the evaluation and course reports rendered on officers and other occurrences in the career path of each officer for efficient career planning and management.
Gen Oyinlola revealed that statutorily, the department conducts sensitisation visits to NA formations, training institutions and operational areas to enhance Officers’ understanding of career growth requirements. He acknowledged the importance of strategic career planning and management in shaping the future of the NA, noting that this year’s seminar seeks to consolidate on the successes recorded and guarantee the desired end state.
Delivering the lead lecture on “Military Human Resource Management in the NA in Contemporary Complex Environment: The Role of the Officer”, the keynote speaker, former COAS Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya (retd), highlighted the critical role of officers, stressing that countries around the globe keep striving to improve efficiency and effectiveness in their functions, hence the need for NA to prioritize its human resources development and management for efficiency.
Highlight of the opening ceremony was a robust interactive session that climaxed the lead lecture.