Strong leadership skills improve reaction to threats – Commander

The Commander, Nigerian Army Corps of Signals, Maj.-Gen. Abiodun Owolabi, said that officers in leadership positions required great skills to enhance their response to the emerging nature of warfare in a complex society.

Owolabi said this at the second phase of the Nigerian Army Leadership Development Seminar 2022, with the theme "Leadership Strategies for Optimal Performance in the Nigerian Army,"  meant for Lt. Cols. and Colonels.

The seminar was organized by the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration (NASFA) and held from November 14 to November 17 at NASFA, Arakan Barracks, Apapa, Lagos.

Supreme reports that the first phase and opening ceremony of the seminar were held in May.

Owolabi said the choice of the theme was apt and captured the Chief of Army Staff's (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya's vision to have "a professional Nigerian army (NA) ready to accomplish assigned missions within a joint environment in the defense of Nigeria."

"In view of this, the NA continues to strive to develop doctrines and upgrade equipment to enhance its responsiveness to the changing nature of warfare."

"Having commanders with effective leadership skills and a digital orientation is imperative to enhance the operational effectiveness of the NA towards defeating adversaries in all environments.

"The knowledge acquired in the course of the seminar will be an added advantage in your future leadership capacities," he said.

The commander said the imperative of today's complex environment demanded greater leadership competency to enhance capacity for managing men and material.

He added that military operations in contemporary times had become more complex due to changes in the nature of threats and advancements in technology.

 "This suggests the importance of leaders with prerequisite skills at various levels of command to effectively cope with the dynamics of the operating environment.

"I urge you to embrace propensity for change and adaptive leadership style as well as vision of organisational excellence to succeed in your commands.

"According to John Quincy Adams, 'If your actions inspire others to dream more, hear more, do more and become more, you are a leader," Owolabi said.

In the same vein, the Commander, Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, Maj.-Gen. Adeyemi Alabi, said that ensuring officers gained and sustained optimal performance in a complex environment could not be underestimated.

Alabi said that the accomplishments of NA goals and objectives depended on prompt and precise application of leadership capabilities, especially at such times of emerging security challenges.

"Leadership is imperative in view of security challenges which have manifested in rampant kidnapping for ransom, banditry and increasing wave of terrorism across the country.

"To successfully handle these current challenges, there is need for decisive, skillful and self motivated leadership across all chains of command," he said.

Also, the Commandant, NASFA, Brig.-Gen. Felix Ohunyeye said that he was confident the officers were now better informed and equipped to respond meaningfully in their respective command staff and instructional appointments.

"Your ability to practice what you have learnt will unequivocally spur you to greater heights in your career as commission officers.

"I enjoin you to demonstrate and show improvement in your abilities while remaining resolute and applying lessons learnt to contribute meaningfully towards speedily defeating insurgency and other criminalities in the nation," Ohunyeye said.

Ohunyeye was represented by the Deputy Commandant, NASFA, Col. Abubakar Saleh.