As part of the efforts to reawaken troops’ consciousness in civil – military engagements, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in collaboration with the British Military Advisory Training Team (BMATT), today 21 May 2024, organized a one – day Civil – Military Cooperation (CIMIC) workshop for personnel of Operation HADIN KAI at Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri, Borno State.
Delivering his inaugural address during the workshop, the Chief of Defence Civil – Military Relations (CDCMR), Rear Admiral I Abbas implored participants to learn from one another and forge a new partnership that would drive progress of CIMIC in the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and beyond.
He said the workshop would not have taken place at a better time than now, when the nation was plagued with various types of insecurity, threatening the nation’s common existence. He reiterated that to effectively address the various forms of insecurity, there was need for all hands to be on deck to sensitize personnel and all stakeholders on the non-kinetic method of operations, which he said was paramount.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Theatre Commander (TC) Joint Task Force (JTF) North East (NE) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) Major General Waidi Shaibu, averred that the workshop was in pursuit of a common goal to enhance the capabilities of men of the forces in the NE. He stressed that the workshop underscored the pivotal role of CIMIC in achieving all operational end state, adding that the workshop was timely as HQ Theatre Command has continued to place high premium on training.
Lectures delivered at the workshop by the BMATT team and other resource persons include; practical application of CIMIC on Counter Insurgency Operations, CIMIC and Protection of Civilians, Engagement with Civil – Community as well as Opportunities and Threats in Nigerian Context amongst others.
The workshop which was attended by Deputy Theatre Commander Major General Kenneth Chigbu, senior officers from DHQ, Principal Staff Officers from HQ Theatre Command, as well as other officers from BMATT, Officers and soldiers of OPHK, climaxed with interactive session, presentation of plaques and photographs.
REUBEN KOVANGIYA
Captain
Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations Headquarters Theatre Command