Oluwatoyin Yusuf
Abuja
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed that strong leadership and continuous training remain the cornerstones of the Nigerian Army’s operational effectiveness in addressing contemporary security threats.
Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, Acting Director Army Public Relations, in a statement said the COAS made this known on Wednesday 19th November 2025 during his operational tour of the 1 Division Area of Responsibility in Kaduna.
After receiving an operational briefing, the COAS addressed officers at the Division Auditorium, emphasising that leadership remains the most decisive factor in tackling insecurity. He noted that effective leadership at all levels is essential for safeguarding lives and property, urging officers to remain exemplary figures whom soldiers can confidently rely on.
The COAS also highlighted that leading troops in battle is a core responsibility of every officer, calling for unflinching dedication, loyalty and purposeful leadership on and off the battlefield. At a separate address to soldiers on parade, the Army Chief charged troops to obey and trust their commanders, stressing the importance of loyalty, discipline and commitment in executing their constitutional duties.
General Shaibu also highlighted the indispensable role of training in military professionalism, describing it as the “best gift” the institution offers its personnel. He encouraged soldiers to take full advantage of courses provided by Nigerian Army training schools and divisional institutions to improve their competence and enhance personal development.
He added that the welfare of officers and soldiers remains a priority under his leadership. As part of the visit, the COAS commissioned a newly built soldiers’ canteen at the Division Headquarters. The operational tour marks COAS’s first visit to 1 Division since assuming office.
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