Army Building Soldiers of Character, Integrity for Modern Warfare – Depot Commandant
By Zagazola Makama
Brig Gen. Ahmed Ahmadu, The Commandant of the Nigerian Army Depot, Amasiri, Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, has said that the Army is placing equal emphasis on character development and modern warfare skills in its efforts to build a new generation of professional soldiers capable of addressing contemporary security challenges.
The Commandant disclosed this during an interview with defence correspondents at the depot’s temporary training location in Kaduna.
He said that beyond physical fitness and weapons handling, the Nigerian Army had intensified efforts to instill discipline, integrity, resilience and patriotism in recruits undergoing military training.
According to him, the changing nature of security threats requires soldiers who are not only tactically competent but also possess the moral strength and character necessary to operate effectively in complex environments.
“If an individual comes into the military without the willingness to give his best, the issue is not integrity alone but character. Integrity is a reflection of character, and character remains the foundation upon which every professional soldier is built,” he said.
The Commandant explained that a significant component of recruit training is dedicated to mental conditioning and value orientation aimed at producing disciplined and responsible soldiers.
He noted that military instructors employ various motivational and psychological techniques to shape the mindset of recruits and prepare them for the realities of military service.
“We spend a lot of time developing the right mindset. Military service is not just about carrying weapons or engaging in combat. It is about discipline, responsibility, selflessness and commitment to national service.
“We constantly remind recruits of the core values of the Nigerian Army. We want them to understand that they are preparing to serve something bigger than themselves,” he said.
According to him, recruits are taught the importance of loyalty, courage, integrity and respect for others throughout their training period.
He said these values are reinforced through daily activities and leadership engagements designed to foster a sense of purpose and responsibility among trainees.
The Commandant stressed that soldiers who possess strong character are more likely to remain committed to their duties, maintain discipline under pressure and uphold the professional standards expected of members of the Armed Forces.
He further explained that while character development remains a critical aspect of training, the Army has also continued to modernise its curriculum to keep pace with evolving security threats.
According to him, lessons learned from ongoing military operations across different theatres are regularly incorporated into training programmes.
He disclosed that the depot has integrated emerging warfare concepts such as drone operations, counter-drone measures and enhanced combat drills into its curriculum.
“We continuously review our training programmes based on operational realities. Modern warfare is changing rapidly, and our training must reflect those changes.
“Today, recruits are exposed to modern operational concepts, including the use of drones, counter-drone tactics, night operations and other combat-related exercises that enhance their effectiveness on the battlefield,” he said.
The Commandant noted that night exercises and field drills have become essential components of training as security operations increasingly require troops to operate in challenging environments and under varying conditions.
He added that recruits are also trained on personal security awareness and battlefield safety measures to improve survivability during operations.
According to him, military training is a continuous process that evolves in response to emerging threats and technological developments.
“Training is dynamic. As new threats emerge, we adapt our curriculum to ensure our personnel remain prepared and capable of responding effectively,” he said.
The Commandant also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, for providing the support required to improve training standards across Army institutions.
He said the Chief of Army Staff had continued to prioritise capacity development, infrastructure improvement and the acquisition of modern training resources to enhance operational readiness.
According to him, the support has enabled the depot to sustain high training standards while equipping recruits with the knowledge, skills and values required to serve effectively in today’s security environment.
He expressed confidence that the combination of character development, professional military education and modern combat training would continue to produce soldiers capable of meeting Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
“The Nigerian Army is committed to producing soldiers who are physically fit, mentally prepared, professionally competent and morally grounded. These are the qualities required to safeguard the nation and uphold the values of the Armed Forces,” he said.
