Leadership Key to Insurgency Control- Commandant

The Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Signals, Apapa, Lagos State, Maj.-Gen. Olusegun Adesina on Tuesday said that leadership was key in the control of insurgency in the country.

Adesina said this at the 16th edition of the Nigerian Army Leadership Development Seminar 2021 with theme: ‘Leadership Excellence in The Digital Era.’

The three days seminar is holding from May 25 to May 27 at the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration (NASFA) Arakan Barracks, Apapa, Lagos State.

Adesina expressed grief while eulogising the words and achievements of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, who died alongside senior officers in a plane crash over the weekend.

“In a sober mood over the weekend, the words of Gen. Attahiru came to mind when he said we need to control insurgency, otherwise insurgency will control us.

“Leadership is very key and vital to us in the control of insurgency and indeed other challenges and threats we have in Nigeria.

“I urge the participants in capacity of lieutenant colonels and colonels to develop courage and do what is right at all times.

“What you need at this stage is courage to take decisions, to accept responsibilities and to do the right things at the right time.

“Ninety-nine per cent of our leadership failures is usually failure of character. Therefore, as senior military officers, you must have character to succeed,” he said.

The Commandant, NASFA, Brig.-Gen. Felix Ohunyeye, said that the seminar would be held in a sober reflection considering the recent death of their general.

Ohunyeye said that the seminar’s 50 participants were chosen in view of the importance their ranks play in policy formation and implementation in the army.

“The leadership seminar is crafted to equip the participants with the right skills, values and orientation to carryout roles effectively and officially through the use of global management practices,” he said.

Some of the topics to be discussed in the seminar include Leadership Competency within Ethics, Roles of Leaders in Digital Transformation, Workplace Engagement and Artificial Intelligence.

“Other topics are Overcoming Resistance to Change and Fostering the Culture of Excellence.

“The seminar will be conducted through a sequence of presentations, classroom discussions, exercises and interactive sessions.

“This will ensure development for a deeper understanding of the role of junior and intermediate leaders in analysing and resolving contemporary issues.

“It will also enhance potentials of the participants thus optimising their technical and professional capabilities,” he said.

Supreme reports that the seminar is organised by the NASFA in conjunction with the Nigerian Institute of Management.