The Nigerian Army has promised to ensure gender mainstreaming in all its operations to achieve efficiency and enhance professionalism in the service.
The GOC Maj Gen TA Lagbaja in his opening remarks during the Gender Mainstreaming For Enhanced Professionalism in the Nigerian Army held at 82 Div of the Nigeria Army, welcomed the participants to the workshop stressing that the workshop was coming at the right time considering the importance of Gender Equality and Equity in the discharge of responsibilities of men and women towards achieving military goals.
He also emphasized on the importance of the Sexual Exploitation and Abuse policy in modern day military operations for capacity building.
The sensitization workshop is an initiative jointly conducted by the AHQ DCMA and British Defense Section West Africa as approved by the COAS.
The objectives among others are capacity building for officers and men of the Nigeria Army, particularly as assigned missions within the joint environment becomes complex, increasingly expanding and dynamic.
The COAS recently approved the Second phase of the Workshop and it kickstarted at the 8 Div, 6 Div and the team is currently at 82 Div Enugu. The Team Leader is Col P Elayo while the facilitators include Maj JE Osamgbi (NA Gender Advisor AHQ DAOPs) and Lt F Musah(Legal Offr AHQ DCMA).
Participants have been drawn from security agencies and relevant Civil Society Organisations in each and every one of the conducted sessions.
The Security and para Military agencies invited at the 6 Div include the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Airforce, Nigeria Police, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Department of State Security Services, Federal Fire Service Agency of Nigeria, Federal Road Safety Corps amongst others.
The Take away have been so assuring as Participants always show enthusiasm, knowledge acquisition and better understanding of the subject modules which includes, Operationalizing Gender, Nigeria Army Policy on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights amongst others.
