*Urges participants to remain disciplined and dedicated to duty.
By Helen Udo, Outlook Media ABUJA.
The Nigerian Army (NA) has charged its personnel to remain disciplined and dedicated in the course of discharging their duty. The call was made by the Chief of Personnel Management (CPM) Army, Major General Yakubu Yahaya during the inauguration ceremony of the Nigerian Army Master Warrant Officers (MWOs) to Army Warrant Officers (AWOs) Promotion Board for the Year 2024 on Tuesday 15 October 2024 at Rhino Sports Pavilion, Maxwell Khobe Cantonment Jos.
While declaring the promotion exercise open, Maj Gen Yahaya averred that the promotion exercise was an annual routine activity of the NA where participants of the rank of MWO are drawn from across the various formations and units of the NA to determine suitable candidates for promotion to the enviable rank of AWO.
The CPM further affirmed that to ensure only the most qualified and dedicated candidates are promoted, the participants will undergo a rigorous vetting process including drills, weapon handling, current affairs, general service knowledge, oral interview as well as physical and medical tests. He also assured the candidates that the members of the promotion board will remain just, fair and neutral to all the participants in the course of the promotion exercise.
While appreciating the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division, Major General Yahaya stated that “I want to thank the General Officer Commanding 3 Division for providing the best of facilities to ensure the smooth conduct of the promotion exercise and to ensure the candidates are comfortable during the 2-week duration”.
Delivering the welcome address, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar averred that only the best personnel would drive forward the efforts of the NA towards defeating the multi-dimensional threats to our national security; hence the need for the NA to breed competent Senior Non-Commissioned Officers in the battlefield.
Major General Abubakar noted that the promotion exercise was one of the means of selecting capable leaders in the non commissioned cadre and further charged the candidates to be professional, disciplined, resilient and also bring to bear their experience during the promotion exercise. The GOC further stated that “as candidates shortlisted for this exercise, you must have demonstrated those rare qualities inherent with the NA core values in the course of your careers”.
While appreciating the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen TA Lagbaja NAM for finding 3 Division worthy to host this year’s promotion board, Major General Abubakar resonated his confidence on the Board President and members of the board and urged them to incorporate modern technological developments and best global military practices to ensure only the most qualified candidates were promoted.
In a separate address, the Board President, Brigadier General Jamiu Are noted that the Army Warrant Officer rank was the highest and the most revered in the soldiers’ cadre; therefore, only the best of the best should be granted the privilege to be promoted to the enviable rank. He assured the candidate of the board’s equity, fairness and justice while urging them to be disciplined and to not entertain any fear on the capacity, integrity and sincerity of the members. Brig Gen Are also thanked the COAS for finding him worthy to preside over the promotion board and for the confidence reposed in him. He assured the COAS that the board members will put in their best to ensure only suitable candidates capable of driving the mandates of the Nigerian Army were recommended for promotion.
Highlights of the event were the questions and answer session and group photograph.
