The Second RSMs Convention 2022 at the Headquarters 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Giginya Barracks, Sokoto state, has been officially inaugurated with the theme “Capacity Building for Regimental Sergeant Majors in the Nigerian Army for Enhanced Regimentation” by the Nigerian Army.
While declaring the convention open, the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, Rt Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, advised the Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) of the Nigerian Army (NA) to strengthen personnel discipline and generally improve conduct, particularly when participating in internal security operations.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, told journalists in Abuja that Tambuwal had reiterated that the Nigerian Army’s ongoing involvement in internal security operations forced the soldiers to frequently interact with civilians, putting their behavior under scrutiny. The Governor continued, stressing the need for the RSMs to fulfill their crucial responsibility for establishing order and discipline in the NA.
He added that the recent campaign against banditry is fostering an environment favorable to socio-economic operations in the state. Gov. Tambuwal praised the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) for advancing personnel welfare, professionalism, and capacity building in the NA.
In his remarks, the COAS, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, commanded the RSMs to be knowledgeable on all NA principles, customs, and traditions as well as current on the Army’s involvements in internal security operations, counterterrorism, and insurgency, among other operations.
The NA continues to enjoy President Muhammadu Buhari’s confidence in its ability to fulfill its constitutional obligations, for which he thanked him. Gen. Yahaya also praised the government and people of Sokoto state for their assistance to the NA as well as other armed forces and security organizations in the region.
The Chief of Administration (Army) Maj Gen Wilson Ali also advised the participants to make sure that the knowledge and skills they had learned at the conference were put to use to improve both their professional and everyday activities. A lecture on “Emotional Intelligence and Leadership in the Nigerian Army: The Role of Regimental Sergeant Majors” was given by Brig Gen Dele Arogundade, a Chartered Emotional Intelligence specialist in the Nigerian Army, who was one of the convention’s resource speakers.
The decoration of the GOC 8 Division NA, along with Maj. Gen. Uwem Bassey with the newly approved Lanyard and Division insignia, were notable moments of the event. additionally with the completion of RSM housing for 48 Engineers and 58 Signal Brigades.
