By Nkechi Eze
In a resolute affirmation of Nigeria’s commitment to regional peace and stability, the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC), Jaji, Kaduna State, on Friday, 20 June 2025, graduated 197 personnel set to be deployed as Nigerian Contingent 10 (NIGCON 10) to the ECOWAS Peacekeeping Mission in The Gambia.
Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations MLAILPKC, Captain Tamuno Sinivie Oyaya in an official signed statement disclosed that the graduation ceremony, held at the Centre’s Parade Ground within the Jaji Military Cantonment, marked the end of a rigorous five-week pre-deployment training programme. The event was attended by high-ranking officers from Defence and Army Headquarters, Commandants of training institutions, and heads of other security agencies based in Kaduna State, underscoring the importance attached to Nigeria’s peacekeeping roles across the continent.
Delivering his address as the Special Guest of Honour, the Chief of Operations (Army), Major General Uwem Bassey, who was represented by the Deputy Chief of Operations (Army) Force Generation, Major General Ishaya Maina, charged the graduating troops to remain professional, disciplined, and exemplary in conduct as they embark on their mission. He reminded them that the ceremony was not merely a celebration of the successful completion of training but a moment of solemn reflection on the responsibilities that await them in The Gambia.
“As members of the Nigerian Contingent, you are not only representing the Nigerian Army but also serving as ambassadors of peace across Africa,” he said. “Your predecessors have recorded significant successes in stabilising The Gambia politically and socially. It is now your responsibility to sustain and build upon those achievements.”
General Bassey warned the troops against any form of misconduct, especially acts contrary to the code of conduct for peacekeepers. He issued a firm caution on issues related to sexual exploitation and abuse, stating unequivocally that the Nigerian Army would not tolerate any behaviour that brings disrepute to the mission or Nigeria.
“I must stress the importance of maintaining the highest standards of conduct and discipline. The Army will not cover any act of indiscipline. We expect nothing short of professionalism, respect for host communities, and strict adherence to the rules of engagement,” he stated.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commandant of MLAILPKC, Major General Ademola Adedoja, lauded the graduating troops for their dedication and discipline throughout the training period. He explained that the contingent had assembled at the Centre on 17 and 18 May 2025 and underwent comprehensive medical screening to ascertain their fitness before beginning the training programme.
He highlighted that as a United Nations-accredited peacekeeping training centre, the curriculum used for the five-week course was drawn from the UN Core Pre-deployment Training Manuals (CPTM), tailored specifically to reflect the peculiarities of the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia. According to him, the mission-specific modules included training in Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices (C-IED), use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), convoy drills, base camp occupation, protection of VIPs, GPS navigation, medical evacuation procedures, and other essential operational tactics.
Expressing confidence in the troops’ readiness, Major General Adedoja affirmed that Nigerian Contingent 10 is well-equipped to uphold the mandate of the ECOWAS Mission. He also praised the commitment of the Centre’s instructors and facilitators in ensuring the successful completion of the training programme.
“Our mission remains to prepare personnel who will not only carry out their peacekeeping responsibilities effectively but will also reflect the values of discipline, resilience, and excellence for which the Nigerian military is known. I have no doubt that this batch will make the country proud,” he said.
The Commandant also conveyed his appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, for his continued support and for providing all necessary resources to make the training a success.
As the newly trained peacekeepers prepare to depart for The Gambia, their graduation marks another milestone in Nigeria’s enduring legacy of commitment to peacekeeping and international cooperation under the framework of ECOWAS and the African Union. Their deployment is expected to further consolidate peace in The Gambia, reinforce Nigeria’s leadership role in regional security, and serve as a model of professional military engagement on the continent.
