Army graduates 67 wounded-in-action soldiers

The Nigerian Army Friday graduated 67 ‘wounded-in-action’ soldiers of Operation Lafiya Dole on computer repair, operation and Close Circuit Television (CCTV) from the physical and rehabilitation centre located inside the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna.

Fifty of them had four months of intensive training in computer repair and operation, while the remaining 17 had three months of intensive training in CCTV operations, an official said.

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They are expected to be given a laptop computer each, subject to approval by the army authority.

The acting Chief Medical Director, 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, Colonel Augustine Omogbethai, said the graduating soldiers were expected to be redeployed to their various units to offer support in their new areas of expertise since they may no longer efficiently fit for combat operations.

He noted that the training may not address their physical and psychological needs 100 per cent, but would make them productive once again when they are back to their respective units.

“These are soldiers in their prime – some 20, 23, 27, who sustained various degrees of injury. We give them the best drugs and good feeding to ensure rapid healing. But you will agree with me that there are certain injuries that you will sustain during combat, and no matter what you do, you still need to address the minds of these war veterans.

“We have to also address their efficiency in terms of productivity. Yes, we have a team of psychologists and psychiatrist experts here at the facility, but we realised that that may not be enough until we help them to remain relevant to their families, and to the Nigerian Army and the land they are serving.

“We then came up with an idea to roll out certain skills, ranging from computer training, printing, to CCTV operations, with freedom of choice on what they want to do. We also understand the risk involved if we are to train them outside the hospital facility and we came up with a centre within the hospital,” he said.

In a remark, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Kaduna, Major- General Shehu Muhammad, who was represented by Brigadier-General Adeleke Ayannuga, urged the graduating students to work for excellence and efficiency. He also commended the acting medical director of the 44NARHK for the idea of the training.