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By Philip Nwosu
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged officers and soldiers graduating from Exercise Restore Hope IX to translate the intensive training they have received into concrete operational victories as they deploy to various theatres of operation across the country.
Lieutenant General Shaibu gave the charge at the Final Exercise and Graduation Ceremony held at the Nigerian Army Training Camp, Kachia, Kaduna State, at the weekend, emphasising that combat excellence, discipline, adaptability and teamwork remain critical requirements for success in modern warfare, particularly in the face of Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
He described Exercise Restore Hope as a key pillar of the Nigerian Army’s transformation agenda, noting that the exercise was designed to build a professional, resilient and mission-oriented force capable of operating effectively within joint and multi-agency environments.
According to him, the advanced infantry training exposed participants to rigorous drills and practical scenarios aimed at enhancing marksmanship, physical endurance, combat medical skills and the mental resilience required for sustained and high-tempo operations.
Lieutenant General Shaibu stressed that success on the battlefield must be anchored on professionalism, accountability and respect for human rights, adding that ethical conduct is essential to sustaining public confidence and ensuring operational legitimacy.
He commended the instructors and training establishments for maintaining high training standards, noting that graduates of previous editions of Exercise Restore Hope had continued to distinguish themselves across various theatres of operation.
Earlier, the Chief of Training (Army), Major General VU Okoro, said the exercise, now in its ninth series, remains one of the Nigerian Army’s most important post-basic training platforms. He explained that the programme is designed to sharpen combat skills, build resilience and prepare officers and soldiers for the realities of contemporary military operations.
Major General Okoro added that the training framework continues to evolve in line with emerging threats and operational demands, ensuring that participants are adequately prepared for complex and asymmetric security environments.
The COAS thereafter formally declared Exercise Restore Hope IX closed, congratulated the graduating officers and soldiers, and approved the immediate promotion and decoration of seven soldiers who distinguished themselves as instructors during the exercise.
