The Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC), Jaji in Kaduna on Friday graduated 59 troops for peacekeeping mission in Mali.
The troops were drawn from the Nigerian Medical Contingent 7 Level II Hospital for the United Nations (UN) Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization mission in Mali (NIMED 7 MINUSMA).
Chief of Training and Operations, Nigerian Army Head Quarters, Maj.-Gen. Nuhu Angbazo, said the mission was to ensure security and stability in Africa with specific emphasis on the
West African sub-region.
Angbazo was represented by Maj.-Gen. Emeka Onumajuro, the Director of Peacekeeping Operations, Army Headquarters.
He said that collective security and contribution to international peace and security were central to the overall objectives of Nigeria’s national defence policy.
Angbazo explained that participating in peace support operations was one of the specific tasks of the Armed Forces in realising the international peace and security objectives.
He noted that since 1960, Nigeria had deployed over 20,000 peacekeepers to 40 missions in Africa and across the world.
“These peacekeepers with others from around the world have helped to pursue the common course of humanity, assisted nations in distress as and justified the presence and continuation of the work of UN as the most indispensable organisation,’’ he said.
He also noted that as a prerequisite, member states had the responsibility for delivering of pre-deployment training for their personnel prior to UN operations.
He explained that the training was expected to provide the essential knowledge required by all to function effectively in UN’s peacekeeping personnel to peacekeeping operations.
“The focus is to offer a shared understanding of the basic principles, guidelines and policies of UN peacekeeping to guide peacekeeping personnel as they carry out critical tasks to assist countries in the
transition from conflict to peace,” Angbazo said.
He further explained that the techniques, processes and procedures the troops were exposed to during their three weeks training were intended to put them in good frame of mind to discharge their duties.
He urged them to discharge their duties in line with the mission’s mandate and in strict adherence to the rules of engagement of the mission.
“I must caution you to avoid any ugly incident that could tarnish the image of Nigerian Armed Forces in particular and the Nation in general.
“I implore the commandant and his team to remain resolute in ensuring that the high standards achieved by this Centre are continuously maintained and improved upon,” he said.
Also, Commandant of MLAILPKC, Maj-Gen. James Ataguba, explained that participants were introduced to UN peacekeeping which covered principles of peacekeeping, unity of mission partners and comprehensive protection of civilians.
He said the participants were taken on basic life support and advanced life support training, which according to him, was the first be conducted during a pre-deployment training.
“The trainings on advanced life support and basic life support were carried out with support of German Technical Advisory Group and a team from Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria,” he said.
Ataguba noted that the training had equipped the contingent with the requisite skills and knowledge to protect themselves and execute other aspects of the mission’s mandate.
He, however, cautioned them against ugly incidents that could tarnish the image of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the nation in general.
“Please note that the United Nations and ECOWAS maintain zero tolerance policy on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse,” Ataguba said.
