Former Chief of Army Staff and Ambassador, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai (Rtd), underscored the critical need for collective and effective leadership at all levels to promote national cohesion in a diverse and multicultural society. He delivered this message at the graduation ceremony of the one-week Leadership and National Cohesion Course, hosted by the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The event took place on Friday, December 13, 2024, at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) in Asokoro, Abuja.
The former Army Chief, who graced the occasion as the Special Guest of Honour, stressed the importance of unity and integrity in leadership. He urged the participants to embody virtues such as honesty, integrity, and patriotism, which are critical for fostering cohesion. “You are ambassadors of hope, beacons of positive change, and champions of national cohesion. Contemporary society requires leaders who are equipped with the knowledge and competencies to navigate complex challenges, bridge divides, and inspire collective action,” he remarked.
Ambassador Buratai highlighted that the primary objective of the Leadership and National Cohesion Course was to equip participants with the skills and expertise needed to analyze complex national issues and promote unity. He noted that national cohesion is not merely a concept but a vital necessity for peace, development, and unity in diverse societies. He called on the participants to leverage the knowledge and insights gained during the training to enhance leadership capacity and drive positive change in their respective communities and organizations.
In his remarks, the Commandant of MLAILPKC, Major General Ademola Adedoja, expressed confidence that the course’s objectives had been successfully achieved. He emphasized that participants were now better informed about the critical relationship between leadership and national cohesion. While congratulating the participants on completing the course, he commended their enthusiasm and commitment throughout the training phases. “This graduation ceremony marks the fulfillment of one of the Centre’s core mandates of training competent leaders, particularly for peace support operations, in line with United Nations standards,” he stated.
The Commandant also expressed gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, for his unwavering support, which has ensured the seamless conduct of the Centre’s activities in 2024. He further appreciated the UNDP and the Government of Japan for their collaboration in fostering human capacity development, noting that these partnerships would be strengthened in the coming year.
The ceremony’s highlights included the presentation of certificates to participants by the Special Guest of Honour and the distribution of souvenirs to dignitaries. Notable attendees included the former Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Lt Gen LO Adeosun (Rtd); former GOC 7 Division, Maj Gen Bulama Biu (Rtd); Director General of NARC, Maj Gen GA Wahab (Rtd); Deputy Chief of Training (Army), Maj Gen Etsu-Ndagi; the Representative of the Ambassador of Japan; and UNDP representatives, among others.
