Insecurity: Army commences teaching of sign languages

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Taoreed Lagbaja, has said the teaching of sign languages to officers has improved the fight against insecurity in the country.

Lagbaja, a lieutenant general, stated on Tuesday during the opening ceremony of the 2023 Nigerian Army Education Corps (NAEC) combined 3rd and 4th quarter conference.

The programme held at the Nigerian Army Institute of Science Education and Technology, Sobi Cantonment, Ilorin, was themed: “Consolidating the NAEC transformation process in support of the COAS command philosophy.”

According to Lagbaja, “education is very important in the activities of the Nigeria army to transform into a well- trained, equipped and highly motivational force towards achieving its constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment.”

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He said the “introduction of the teaching of sign languages to personnel of the Nigeria Army by the centre is an innovation that will improve their operations across the country.

“We have the deaf and dumb in the society who see a lot of things and information they may want to convey but for their condition and the lack of communication and understanding between them and our troops.

“They might even be mistaken as part of the criminal elements. But by this innovation bringing about the teaching of sign languages in the Nigerian Army, it will enable the personnel to be able to communicate and extract information from them.

“This is a good innovation that will improve our operations across the country”, Lagbaja who was represented by the GOC, 2nd Division Nigeria Army Ibadan, Major-General Bamidele Alli Alabi added.

In his remark, Corps Commander, Nigerian Army Education Corps, Major Gen Bello Alhaji Tsoho said concerted efforts at repositioning the Corps has been in steady progress with modest achievements recorded so far.

He said “The NAEC has in recent time aligned itself with the operational concept of the NA with deliberate efforts to train personnel to add value to the ongoing operations.”