The Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) Jaji, on Wednesday began a three-day defense and security symposium aimed at identifying novel ways of combating emerging national security threats.
The theme of the symposium is, “Standardization and Interoperability of equipment in the Armed Forces of Nigeria”, and was organized for students of Senior Course 43.
In his opening speech, the Commander, Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Osasogie Uzamere, said the military has been undergoing tremendous transformation, to properly respond to all emerging national security threats.
Uzamere said that the focus of the symposium was a reflection of the ongoing transformation in the Armed forces and the repositioning of defense and security agencies to respond more effectively to security challenges.
He expressed the hope that discussions at the symposium would stimulate new ideas that would assist in repositioning the defense and security services for enhanced operational effectiveness.
He commended the college for being at the forefront of contributing towards solving contemporary security challenges, and preparing vibrant officers to the tasks ahead of them in the field.
Uzamere charged the students to prepare their minds on the challenges they would be facing in the field after the course.
Earlier, Commandant of the college, AVM Ebenezer Alade explained that the symposium was aimed at generating ideas from the students and discussants that would assist the services in confronting extant and emerging security challenges.
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Alade who was represented by his deputy, Rear Admiral Patrick Nwatu, noted that the persistent security challenges in the mould of banditry, insurgency and terrorism, require further review of the status quo, particularly in the area of standardization of equipment among the services.
The Commandant said that seasoned senior officers who were exposed and had vast experience, would serve as moderators and discussants.
Alade pointed out that the students are expected to undertake further research on the theme and present a report to the Chief of Defense Staff and Service Chiefs in June.
