Soldiers of the Nigerian Army have been urged to uphold the warrior ethos at all times in order to achieve greater success in combat operations across the country. The Chief of Transformation and Innovation at Army Headquarters, Major General Peter Okoye, gave the charge on Monday during a seminar organised for students of the Nigerian Military School (NMS) and passing-out recruits of the Nigerian Army Depot, Zaria.
Seminar on Warrior Ethos
Speaking at the seminar themed, “Warrior Ethos: A Tool for Building Unit Cohesion and a Combat-Ready Force,” Okoye stressed the need for personnel to remain battle-ready whenever called upon to defend the nation. According to him, “The importance of today’s seminar cannot be overemphasised, particularly as we continue to confront the physical and psychological demands of modern military operations.
“This philosophy underscores the fact that the strength of the Nigerian Army lies not only in its equipment and capabilities, but also in the resilience, discipline and mental readiness of its personnel.” He noted that while the Army continues to record successes in training and operations, it remains imperative to sustain and strengthen the warrior spirit that defines the profession.
Foundation of an Effective Fighting Force
“The warrior ethos remains the foundation of an effective fighting force, embodying courage, discipline, commitment and resilience,” he said. Okoye, however, warned that prolonged operations and other operational stressors could affect the effectiveness of personnel if not properly addressed.
He further stated that the seminar aligns with the Command Philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, which seeks “to advance the transformation of the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of decisively discharging its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.”
Strengthening Mental Toughness
The Army chief explained that the seminar was designed to equip participants with knowledge aimed at strengthening mental toughness and enhancing operational effectiveness. He added that it would also contribute to achieving the pillars of the Chief of Army Staff’s command philosophy, including professional excellence, robust administration, operational readiness, strategic cooperation and exemplary leadership.
Okoye commended the Chief of Army Staff for supporting the organisation of the seminar, expressing confidence that the engagement would strengthen collective resolve, improve unit cohesion and reinforce the warrior ethos necessary for the effective discharge of the Army’s constitutional responsibilities.
Speakers at the Event
Among the speakers at the event was former Commandant of the Nigerian Army War College, retired Major General Charles Ofoche, who delivered a paper titled “Intensifying Warrior Ethos and Mental Toughness.” Others who spoke included the Commandant of the Nigerian Military School, Brigadier General Onisomowowo Nicholas Ejiga, and the Commandant of the Nigerian Army Depot, Brigadier General A.M. Ahmadu.
Also present at the seminar were Brigadier Generals D.O. Ehicheoya, C.I. Nwonyi and O.O. Yakubu, as well as a representative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kaduna State.
