TRAINING AND DOCTRINE COMMAND NIGERIAN ARMY HOLDS RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT, AND CURRICULUM HARMONIZATION CONFERENCE IN ABUJA

Training and Doctrine Command Nigeria Army (TRADOC NA) held a joint conference on Research & Development (R & D) and Curriculum Harmonization 2022 for Nigerian Army (NA) Schools in Abuja. Declaring the Conference open the Chief of Training (Army) Maj Gen AB Ibrahim, who was represented by Maj Gen OT Olatoye, stressed on the need to constantly explore inward to provide workable solutions to security challenges facing the country. He therefore, urged participants to diligently deliberate and come up with suggestions and recommendations that would improve the system. He cited R & D as veritable search light leading to clear path for ultimate solutions to addressing contemporary challenges.

The first phase of the conference was on Research and Development with the theme [The Research and Development Efforts amidst National Security Challenges ]organized by Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA)] it was aimed at providing forum for sound intellectual discourse among different stakeholders from NA formations and the academia. During the conference, there was exhibition of several materials and equipment which were products of various research efforts/findings through collaboration and partnership. The Day-1 event commenced on Monday, 05 September 2022 at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) featured thought provoking and in-depth analysis on different topics presented by erudite scholars and discussed by carefully selected competent Moderators and Discussants.

Speaking on the topic " Rejigging the National Security Architecture: The Nigerian Research and Development Efforts in Perspective", Prof CBN Ogbogbo emphasized the need for huge investment and allocation of resources for Research and Development efforts. Meanwhile, Brig Gen SD Makolo presented a paper on " Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, the Nigerian Army Policy on Prevention and Response". He explained that the Nigerian Army has Policy that guides the conduct of the NA personnel in both internal and external operations as it relates to sexual exploitation and abuse.

Earlier, the Chief of Research Development Test and Evaluation, Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA), Major General S Ibrahim urged the participants to take note of critical areas that require research so as to avoid duplicity of functions in their curriculum development. He said "Research and Development (R & D) must be in line with the NA operations and training, and you must ensure that you document your activities".

The second phase of the conference was on curriculum harmonization in NA Schools. The aspect [of the curriculum harmonization for the NA Schools] generated discussions and clarifications on [some pertinent aspect of] the formulation of curriculum for schools. This was following the lectures presented by Brig Gen SS Ibrahim on “Process of Developing and improving Course Content for Military Training”. Dr Bala Shehu also delivered a lecture on “Curriculum Development and its impact on learning: An Appraisal” aimed at enhancing the competence of schools to craft their curriculum with due cognizance to the aim of the course as well as vision of the Chief of Army Staff [which is to have “A professional Nigerian Army Ready to Accomplish Assigned Missions in a Joint Environment in Defence of Nigeria”]. The conference engendered deep discussions and was very rewarding.

In the remarks of the Commander TRADOC NA, Maj Gen SO Olabanji, ably represented by the Chief of Training (TRADOC NA), Maj Gen JAL Jimoh lauded the efforts of the NA Schools' Deputy Commandants and Division Training Officers for their tireless efforts to ensuring the NA personnel are better trained and the teaching and learning environments are kept conducive. Reflecting on the outcomes of exhibition phase, Major General Jimoh averred that, the R & D in the NA is evolving fast and that will eventually reduce dependence on others for our equipment needs. He therefore, implored the NA training institutions to strengthen their training packages, R & D efforts to produce indigenous military equipment and enhance professionalism in the system.

The Chief of Training (Army), Maj Gen AB Ibrahim who was represented by the Acting Director of Linkages and Integration, Brig Gen LA Lebo declared the conference closed on Thursday 08 September 2022. While commending the excellent conduct of the conference, he urged the participants to sustain the commendable research efforts as displayed during the exhibition phase of the conference. He equally emphasized that the outcomes from the curriculum harmonization should be reflected in the Nigerian Army (NA) schools' curriculum in order to enhance teaching and learning.

The Conference featured practical demonstration of curriculum development by astute resource persons/academicians and participants. In participation were observers from Army Headquarters' Departments of Transformation and Innovation, and Standard and Evaluations, Director General NARC, Executive Director NARC Consult, Deputy Commandants of all NA schools, Divisions Training Officers amongst others. Highlights of the Conference were the group photograph and presentations of plaques.