***Distributes books, instructional materials to schools
The commander, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) of the Nigerian Army Maj. General Kelvin O. Aligbe has urged the personnel of the Nigerian Army to imbibe the culture of reading in other to improve their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Gen Aligbe stated this at the TRADOC headquarters in Minna the Niger capital on Tuesday when he distributed text books, exercise books and other instructional material to students and pupils of various primary and secondary schools within and outside the 31 Artillery Brigade cantonment Minna.
The gesture he said is part of activities to mark the 2024 TRADOC Nigerian Army library day study period.
The TRADOC Nigerian Army Library Day Study Period is organized by the Directorate of Army Training Support Centre annually to engage and collaborate with other professionals on contemporary issues on the use and application of library resources.
According to the TRADOC commander, the Study Period is one of the major schedules of training activities of Training and Doctrine Command of the Nigerian Army for the year 2024.
Gen Aligbe pointed out that “It is important to note that, the forum is coming up at a time when all efforts are being geared towards training, research and innovation as well as educational development of personnel in line with the Chief of Army Staff command philosophy, which is ‘’to transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained equipped and highly effective force to fulfilled our constitutional responsibilities in a joint environment.
“This is with a view to enhance reading culture of the Nigerian Army personnel towards improving their critical thinking and problem-solving skill”.
In addition to this, he maintained that “it is to provide free access to information that will develop the research potentials and educational development of TRADOC Nigerian Army personnel through practical utilization of library resources”.
Gen Aligbe stated further that the importance of the study period cannot be overemphasized especially in the era of social media distractions, leading to readers reduced concentration and fragmented attentions, “Hence, it is to refresh our minds on the all-important roles of libraries”.
He disclosed that the theme for this year’s study period which is “Enhancing Research Potentials and Reading Culture of the Nigerian Army Personnel through Effective use of Library” was to imbibe the culture of reading despite the busy schedule and the engagement of the officers and soldiers.
This, he pointed out has become necessary because despite advancement in technology, a lot of individuals lack proper knowledge on how to use information retrieval skills and computer knowledge in accessing information in modern library.
Major General Aligbe also disclosed that the transformation of the Nigerian Army which started in earnest a few years ago has gone through various stages of educational developments, stressing that “The dynamic approach and pragmatic planning of the Chief of Army Staff is a manifestation of his desire to improve the Nigerian Army and translate it into a professional force. Hence this Study Period is seen as one of the platforms to actualize the command philosophy of the COAS”.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director Army training support center TRADOC, Brigadier General Victor Ita said that despite the important roles of libraries in training, research and educational development, they are faced with common challenges of low patronage as well as lack of modern facilities, adding that “This also affect the TRADOC NA Library”.
He Underscored the importance of study period which he pointed out is used to enlighten and refresh officers, soldiers and students of the barracks community on the contemporary developments in the use and application of library resources.
“It also provides the enabling environment where participants would rub minds through interactions and exchange of ideas on some selected applications which affects