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…as 81 Div GOC says RSM instrumental to achieving NA objectives
By: Okosun Dennis
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya said in Lagos on Monday that the Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) Training Convention has had tremendous impact on various operations as well as enhanced discipline in the Nigerian Army.
While declaring open the First RSMs Convention 2022 with the theme: “Capacity Building for RSMs in the Nigerian Army for Enhanced Regimentation”, at the Headquarters, Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, Abalti Barracks, Surulere, emphasized that building the capacity of RSMs is crucial to the Nigerian Army’s operational effectiveness considering the important roles they play as custodians of discipline and regimentation.
The Special Guest of Honour, COAS, who was represented by the Chief of Administration, Army Headquarters, Abuja, Major General Usman Shehu Mohammed noted that as the custodian of discipine and regimentation, they would continue to be relevant at maintaining a professional army, which aligns with the COAS strategic directive of “building a professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish assigned missions…”
Gen Yahaya added that, “The RSM cadre constantly interfaces between the Non-Commissoned Officers (NCOS) and Commissioned Officers, hence there is the need to continuously equip them with current professional knowledge in the ever-evolving security environment.
“It is our hope that at the end of this convention, the Nigerian Army will witness improvement in discipline and regimentation in all units, formations and other Nigerian Army establishments across the country.
Tasking the RSMs at ensuring the cherished traditions, customs and ethics of the Nigerian Army are continuously upheld, reiterated that “These are serious responsibilities that must not be taken lightly. It, therefore, requires that you all must be up to date on these responsibilities especially with the engagement of Nigerian Army in several internal security, counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in various theatres within the country.”
In a separate interview with our correspondent, the COAS observed, “If you build the capacity of the RSM, the tendency is that they will be equipped with the required knowledge and modern trends; know what is trending within their environment.
“They can advice and be able to pass these knowledge to their subordinates – the soldiers. Once that is done, we believe it would have an impact on the way we conduct our operations – discipline, training and other capacity building activities.”
Speaking in his capacity as the Chief of Administration, Maj Gen Usman Shehu Mohammed admonishes the RSMs to take advantage of any opportunity to build capacity to their own advantage.
He enjoined them not to relent in the Command and Control chain of command by ensuring that anytime they dish out orders to their subordinates, they should follow it through for strict compliance and execution by their subordinates – soldiers. Particularly, he adviced them that considering they have few years left in service, they should begin to think of areas they can explore when they leave the service hence they must take the training seriously.
Earlier in his welcome address, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Major General Umar Thema Musa called on the Regimental Sergeant Majors to make good use of the training to function optimally at various capacities in their career. “RSM at all levels are very important for the running of the Nigerian Army and for achieving NA objectives,” he emphasized.
In the first lecture delivered by Brigadier General Shuaibu Nuhu and titled: “Building the Capacity of RSM through Proficient Training,” he enlightened the participants on the responsibilities and capacity requirements for RSMs.
He also noted the challenges associated with capacity building of RSMs and suggested wayforward such as capacity development of RSMs in the ongoing review of NA training policy and introduction of mandatory capacity development programmes for RSMs among others.
The NA RSMs Convention 2022 attracted Principal Staff Officers from Army headquarters, Corps Commanders in Lagos, senior officers and over 250 RSMs drawn from NA units, formations, Corps Headquarters and training institutions across the country.
However, it was gathered that the 2022 RSMs Training Convention has been split into two with the First Convention being hosted at the 81 Division while the second phase with the same curriculum and modules will hold later in the year in Kaduna. The essence, it was further learnt was to ensure maximum participation by every RSM in the Nigerian Army.
