Be mentors to young soldiers, COAS urges RSMs

By Polycarp Auta

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has advised Regimented Sergeant Majors (RSMs) to be mentors to the younger crop of soldiers in their various formations and units.

Yahaya gave the advice at the closing of the 2023 first Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) Convention on Friday in Jos.

According to him, RSMs play great roles toward the actualisation of his vision in having a professional army ready to defend the shores of Nigeria.

“RSMs must be mentors to the younger soldiers, if all our soldiers will behave like the RSMs we will have less problems in the army.

“So, be good examples to the young soldiers, make them aspire to be like you; teach them the good conduct you have learnt over the years.

“When we have well behaved soldiers, we will have a professional army that is well positioned to accomplish all tasks. And that’s my vision,” he said.

Yahaya, who showered accolades on the participants at the convention, expressed deep satisfaction with the roles of RSMs in their various formations.

“I have personal regards for RSMs because of their regimental, knowledge, efforts, and the roles they play in the army

“I have come across many of them right from my days in the academy and see them doing well,” he said.

The COAS described the theme of the convention, ”The Roles of Regimental Sergeant Majors in Upholding the Tenets of Professionalism in the Social Media Era”, as key toward shaping the professional conducts of personnel during operations

He added that the convention aimed at enhancing the capacity of RSMs in the discharge of their regimental roles and how to effectively use the social media during operations or in line of duty.

Yayaha, who said that the convention was timely, urged the participants to put the knowledge gained into good use.

The COAS also charged soldiers to be their brother’s keeper, adding that ”esprit de corps” should be there guiding principle.

He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his support to the Nigerian Army and promised that the army would not fail in discharging its constitutional duty.

Earlier, the Chief of Administration, Army Headquarters, Maj.-Gen. William Alli, thanked the COAS for approving the convention and for taking his time to personally declare it closed.

He explained that the five-day convention had erudite and carefully selected resources persons that delivered lectures on various important sub-topics in line with the the theme.

He expressed optimism that the participants would return to their formations and units well refreshed and ready to work had for the success of the Nigerian Army.

(NAN)