Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has declared that the military is committed to the emotional and psychological wellbeing of troops in various theatres of operations across the country.
Musa spoke yesterday at the Defence Headquarters, 2025 First Bi-Annual Sensitisation Training on Stress Management, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Emotional Intelligence for Personnel Serving in Theatres of Operation.
The one-day evernt was held at 82 Division Headquarters, Enugu.
The CDS, who was represented by the director of Innovation and Concept Development at the Defence Headquarters, Maj.-Gen. Wara Idris, said the emphasis on mental health was to ensure optimal performance of each soldier and, by extension, the troops.
He added that the critical event reflects the growing recognition of the need to safeguard the mental health and wellbeing of “our personnel who continue to make sacrifices for the peace and stability of the nation.”
Musa said over the years, troops in the course of several battles had been exposed to traumatic conditions, but in those days, their mental health and wellbeing had not been given adequate attention.
The CDS averred that the change involving sound mental and emotional well-being therapies in the lives of military personnel had led to better troop successes and holistic wellness of individual personnel.
He said that the sensitisation would give soldiers the tools to better manage stress and PTSD while in theatres of operation.
The CDS noted that it would also enlighten them on the importance of having good emotional intelligence to deal with people’s different needs and challenges adequately.
“It will further educate them on the benefits of seeking help from health and mental experts when there is a need as well as check the stigmatisation of those undergoing stress and traumatic conditions,” he said.
Earlier, Maj.-Gen. Oluyemi Olatoye, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, appreciated the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Tinubu, and the CDS for sensitising and supporting the division’s troops.
Olatoye, who is also the Commander of the South-East Joint Security Task Force, code-named ‘Operation UDO KA’, said that the CDS’s support could be attributed to the operational successes of the troops in the South East and Cross River.
“I urge all participants to pay attention, learn and ask questions for further clarification as this sensitisation will make you refine as a soldier and aid your general well-being,” the GOC said.
The event’s participants were Nigerian Army, Air Force, and Navy military personnel.
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