CHIEF of Army Staff Gen Azubuike Ihejirika has challenged the college of Logistics to deepen its research.
He is also seeking an updated training of inducting units for logistics support for the military in its battle against insurgents.
Gen Azubuike spoke at the weekend in Lagos during the graduation of logistics support staff Course 10/2013 of the Nigeria Army College of Logistics (NACOL)
He was represented by the General Officer Commanding, GOC 81 Division, General Obi Umahi.
“We must be seen to be carrying out our roles as enshrined in the Constitution. Thus, total loyalty and subordination to civil authorities is expected from all officers and soldiers. Commanders at all levels are to continue to provide the required leadership and ensure that their soldiers are continuously educated on their roles in the current setting,” the Army chief said.
In his welcome address, NACOL’s Commandent, Gen. Abubakar Gana said of 19 students that enrolled in the seven months course, 18 of them graduated. One could not complete it as a result of health challenges.
He said the 18 graduants included 15 army officers; a naval officer; a police officer, all from the ranks of Captains and Majors or their equivalent, and a senior civilian staff from the Ministry of Defence.
Gana said the college has cumulatively graduated nine sets of officers for logistics staff course and 10 other sets for logistics management course, noting the importance of training in order to produce workable blueprints for logistics management today and the future.
“I am confident that with further development, exposure and adequate tasking, the graduants would contribute and enhance the efficiency of military logistics in the armed forces. I urge formations and army headquarters to deploy the graduates in areas of logistics planning with a view to improving the system as well as their abilities in logistical matters.
“The course would also expect feedback on the performance of these officers in the field as it would help improve the quality of succeeding courses,” he said.
Gana disclosed that the college was collaborating with the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, United Kingdom, Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria, CIPSMN, as well as other international institutes on logistics training.
He said: “NACOL, with the COAS directives, has endorsed an MoU to operate as a regional PSO training institution for strengthening of Economic Community for West African States, (ECOWAS), Stanby Force, ESF, in order to create the modalities for enhancing demand-driven PSO training.”
Gana, who urged that priority be given to the members of staff of NACOL for logistics and management trainings abroad, also stated that the challenges bedeviling the college include “the replacement of the lift; classroom furniture, fire fighting facilities and water supply.”
In his goodwill message, CIPSMN’s President Mohammed Aliyu said there was need for careful procurement, planning, implementation and monitoring of budget.
He said supply chain management strategy and policies are necessary not only to arrest the decline in all sectors but to engineer growth and sustainability, just as he called for enormous public and private collaboration to enhance the economy.