Members of the Armed Forces have been implored to uphold the concept of collective security which is in line with globalization. The call was contained in an address delivered by the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Mohammed Diko Umar at the Graduation Ceremony of Junior Course 71/2011(JC 71/11) at Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji.Air Marshal Umar said that with the world fast becoming a global village, events in one country will necessarily affect others as witnessed in the current revolution sweeping across Arab nations. He therefore urged the officers to brace up to the current global, regional and domestic security challenges which according to him demands knowledge of Peace Support Operations and disaster management. The CAS, who was the Guest of Honour at the occasion, charged the graduands to make proper use of knowledge they gained during the course, especially Military virtues such as team spirit, excellence and ex sprit de corps.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Commandant AFCSC, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Tijjani Muazu reiterated his commitment towards the vision and objectives of the founding fathers of AFCSC. He said that the Junior Course Curriculum is constantly being updated to reflect the current Military trends and contemporary aid to civil power challenges.

The Commandant revealed that the Junior Course Curriculum has been reviewed and enriched to enhance efficiency and inter-operability especially in multi-national operations. According to him, future Junior Course participants will have to take compulsory elective courses in French and Information Technology as pre-course requirements.

AVM Muazu used the forum to congratulate the graduands and urged them to be worthy ambassadors of the College. About 130 officers and civilians of the rank of Captain and equivalents passed out during the occasion. This is made up of 58 Nigerian Army officers, 40 Nigerian Navy officers and 25 Nigerian Air force officers. Others are: 2 Gambian Army and Air force officers and 5 civilian staff from the Defence Intelligence Agency.

High point of the occasion featured the conferment of the ‘Pass Junior Staff Course’ and presentation of certificates to the graduands. Awards were also presented to outstanding students. The award categories comprise best student in order of merit in terms of academics and service paper in the 3 academic departments of Land, Maritime and Air warfare, and the best International student academic award. The beneficiary of the awards were Captain KH Okeniyi who clinchéd the Department of Land Warfare best student award in academics and Service Paper presentation; Navy Lieutenant AS Nura, Department of Maritime Warfare best student award winner and Surgeon Navy Lieutenant AR Edewor who won the Maritime Warfare Service Paper presentation. Others include Flight Lieutenant AO Idoko, Department of Air Warfare best student and Service Paper award winner, Majors JBP Gomez and M Trawally who won the best International Students award respectively.

In the same vein, some members of Directing Staff were also conferred with the prestigious “Pass Staff Course Daga” at a pre- graduation regimental dinner that preceded the grand finale.

The occasion was well attended by many dignitaries including the Gambian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Her Excellency, Mrs Angela Colley; Director, Armed Forces Simulation Centre; Commandant Nigerian Army Peace Keeping Centre, Jaji; Commandant,  Air Force Institute of Technology Kaduna; Deputy Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy and the Deputy Commandant Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji.  Others are Academic and Administrative Directors of the College, Chief Instructors, Directing Staff, the District Heads of Jaji Community, spouses and relations of the graduands.

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