Nigeria Army has ended its 8th leadership development course with a charge to the beneficiaries to utilise the knowledge they gained to purposefully handle ethno-religious upheavals and increasing terrorism.

The course, “Nigeria Army Leadership Development Seminar 2016 “Build Smart Strategists and Creative Thinkers in Military’’, was held at the Nigerian Army Finance Corps, Apapa.

The participants, drawn from the army headquarters and other formations and units in the army were senior officers from the rank of Lieutant Colonel and above.

Closing the course held between June 13 and June 17, the Acting Chief of Accounts and Budget, Brigadier-General Jahadi Jakko, said the course was designed to enhance their knowledge and skills in carrying out their duties.

Jakko said as leaders they must set examples, saying that trust was the bedrock of leadership and urged them to as leaders in the army to be trustworthy.

Acting Corps Commander, Supply and Transport, Brigadier-General Alakassio Jidda, had at the opening noted that leadership development was imperative in view of the nation’s current security challenges.

Jidda said such challenges manifested in rampant ethno-religious upheavals and increasing wave of terrorism across the country.

According to him, to successfully handle the current challenges, there is the need for purposeful, skilful and dynamic leadership across all the chains of command, saying the selection of the theme was made at the right time given the concern of the government and stakeholders in the nation to creatively apply new tactics to tackle socio-economic problems through dynamic leadership.

The course attended by about 40 officers examined such topics as “Improving Decision Making’’, “Brain Power Development and Creating a Developing Mind set’’ and “Fostering a Culture that Nurtures Creativity’’.

Certificates were awarded to the participants.