By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has tasked clerical staff within the Nigerian Army and sister security agencies on professionalism, performance improvement, urging them to guard against security information leakages.

Yahaya gave the charge on Monday, November 7, 2022, while declaring open the Third Quarter Year 2022 Office Management and Security Workshop for Nigerian Army Clerks holding in Enugu from Nov. 6 to Nov. 11, 2022.

The six-day workshop, which has 150 participants, is themed: ‘Enhancing the Capability of Nigerian Army Clerks for Effective Performance.”

The COAS, represented by Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Jalo, Director, Manpower Planning, Nigerian Army, said that the workshop was aimed at reminding the clerks of the importance of securing service documents in a manner that would not jeopardise army operations and administration.

He said that the workshop would expose the participants to modern developments in document security and further improve their knowledge on how to safeguard documents, particularly with the increase use of cyberspace for relaying messages.

“I expect that the workshop will provide a platform for you to learn and contribute meaningfully towards administration through timely and secured conveyance of directives, orders, instructions and other information that enable sound administration.

“As Clerks, your importance in the scheme of activities is critical as you are involved in every aspect, from drafting messages, typing and corrections as well as dissemination.

“Clerks must therefore be cautious of the import of their actions on the overall sanctity of our processes.

“Your duties affect the lives and careers of your colleagues and comrades. We all rely on the outputs from your work for actions during operations and otherwise.

“The Nigerian Army has gone to great lengths to source for competent resource persons for this workshop. A Team of Unique Professionals are partnering with the

Nigerian Army in this respect.

“These erudite gentlemen, some of whom you may have met while they were in service, have graciously agreed to share their wealth of experience with us in office management and document security,” the COAS said.

The army chief lauded the untiring support of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, to the Nigerian Army and ensuring that the army personnel remained highly motivated and effective.

“This workshop is a manifestation of President Buhari’s unwavering support in enhancing our training and welfare packages.

“I urge you to reciprocate this support by remaining motivated and professionally responsive in the discharge of your duties,” he said.

Earlier, in a welcome address, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 82 Division, Maj-Genreal Umar Musa, said that the theme of the workshop was carefully selected to key into the vision and philosophy of the COAS.

Musa noted that the workshop was designed to enhance professionalism and operational efficiency of Nigerian Army clerks.

“It is therefore our hope that the participants in this workshop will make the best use of this opportunity to build on their individual and collective capacities for optimal performance.

“Our deep appreciation to the COAS for the opportunity given to 82 Division to host this workshop and thank the Chief of Administration Army for selecting the

Division to host this workshop and facilitated the release of funds,” the GOC said.

The workshop is being attended by participants drawn from 6 and 82 Divisions of the Nigerian Army, as well as personnel of Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Navy within the 82 Division’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).

Others are personnel from the Nigeria Police, NSCDC, FRSC, NDLEA, Customs, Immigration and Nigerian Correctional Service, among others.

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