Nigerian Army Begins Teaching of Officers, Soldiers Three Major Indigenous Languages

 

The 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army has begun the teaching of officers and soldiers to understand and speak the three major indigenous languages in Nigeria, which are Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo.

The maiden edition of the programme which kicked off at the 32 Artillery Brigade, Owena Barracks in Akure, Ondo State, on Thursday was being done in collaboration with the National Institute for Cultural Orientation.

In a statement issued on the inauguration of the programme, the Assistant Director of the Army Public Relations, 32 Artillery Brigade, Captain Victor Olukoya, said the programme was in line with the directive of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Gen Yusuf Buratai.

He said the COAS had directed that all formations and units of the Nigerian army are to commence teaching of the three major Nigerian languages to officers and soldiers.

The teaching of the three languages, the statement said, was aimed at making officers and soldiers proficient in the three major indigenous languages.

According to the statement, the programme was due to the current engagement of the Nigerian army in various internal security operations which require troops to effectively communicate with the locals to foster cordial civil-military cooperation and intelligence gathering.

Speaking at the inauguration of the training programme, the Commander of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier-General Zakari Logun Abubakar, stressed the importance of the programme to the personnel of the Brigade.

Zakari said: “Proficiency in these languages will enhance the performance of personnel in the conduct of operations as it will improve their ability to communicate and integrate effectively with the local communities.”

The commander thanked the COAS for his strategic direction and unwavering support to the Brigade as well as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General Fidelis Azinta, for his support for the programme.

Zakari also appreciated the Zonal Coordinator of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation, Mr. James Imohiosen, for collaborating with the Brigade to achieve the COAS’ policy directive.