In a significant ceremony held on Friday, September 3, 2023, Brigadier General Wisdom Etuk, the Commandant of the Nigerian Army College of Logistics and Management (NACOLM), inaugurated the Junior Leadership and Staff Officers Course (JLSOC) 2/23.
The course consists of 171 students from various Corps and Services and marked a pivotal event for these aspiring leaders. The inauguration took place at the prestigious Tukur Yusuf Buratai Hall, located at NACOLM’s permanent site in Ojo, Lagos.
Major General Hassan Tafida, Corps Commander of the Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and a member of the College Board of Governors, graced the occasion as the Special Guest of Honour (SGOH) and Guest Lecturer.
He expressed his delight at being part of the event and delivered the Inaugural lecture titled: “The making of an effective leader and staff officer for the joint operating environment.”
General Tafida’s lecture covered various aspects of tactical-level officers, the contributions of JLSOC to the development of tactical-level officers, and field observations related to staff-trained tactical-level officers.
In his inaugural address, Brigadier General Etuk disclosed that NACOLM was established in December 2002 with an initial mandate to train Logisticians. However, with the expansion of the courses offered at the College, including leadership and staff officers courses, the mandate was modified.
NACOLM’s new goal is to produce efficient Logisticians and staff-trained officers equipped with the necessary leadership skills to effectively perform their duties in both joint and combined operations at various formations and higher levels. These officers are expected to utilize contemporary management concepts and techniques in their roles.
General Etuk emphasized that the JLSOC will run for approximately 23 weeks, highlighting that the course is comprehensive and time is of the essence.
He stressed the importance of efficient time management and planning, emphasizing that time is a valuable resource not to be taken for granted.
The Commandant encouraged the students to collaborate harmoniously and engage in intellectual dialogue and interactions.
He also issued a caution about plagiarism, urging the students to maintain originality in their submissions and properly acknowledge any work they consult to avoid academic fraud.
General Etuk underlined the College’s strict stance against plagiarism and its commitment to taking severe action against any violations.
General Etuk expressed his gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, for the continuous support provided to the College.
He also congratulated the students on their selection to attend the course.
The event’s highlights included the inspection of the Quarter Guard by the SGOH, the Inaugural address and lecture, a group photograph, the exchange of souvenirs, and a light refreshment at the NACOLM Officers’ Mess in Ojo.
The event saw the presence of Commandants of various Nigerian Army Schools, Commanders, Commanding Officers within Lagos state, Deputy Commandant/Director of Studies of the College, Brigadier General JIB Manjang (represented by the Acting Director of Management, Leadership, and Staff Studies, Colonel S Julius), Director of Administration at NACOLM, Brigadier General OJ Majebi, Chief Instructors, Members of the Directing Staff, Administrative Staff, and student officers, among others. The event concluded successfully without any hitches.