In conjunction with the Nigerian Navy’s planned Passing Out Parade, the country’s navy held a graduation lecture at the Nigerian Naval College, Ebubu, for graduates of the Direct Short Service Course (DSSC) 29 and Special Duty Pre-Commissioning Training (SDPCT) 24.
The intensive training programs were completed by a total of 264 cadets, including 149 from SDPCT 24 and 115 from DSSC 29.
Rear Admiral Monday Unurhiere, the chief of naval transformation at Naval Headquarters, Abuja, addressed the audience’s desire to embrace mentorship as a fundamental principle of leadership. The keynote lecture was titled “Mentoring Future Leaders in the Nigerian Navy: Cultivating a Culture of Guidance and Support.”
Unurhiere characterized mentorship as a voluntary, trustworthy relationship essential for developing moral, sympathetic, and capable military leaders.
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He urged the cadets to lead with humility, affirm others, and establish trust networks: “Mentors teach, provide learning opportunities, and are never threatened by the success of their mentees,” he said.
He warned against leadership pitfalls, including overbureaucracy, intolerance, and authoritarianism, and urged leaders to be open to feedback and alternative viewpoints, including from junior staff members through reverse mentoring.
He called on officers to actively seek mentors, be open to feedback, maintain trust, and be trustworthy, and that mentoring programs in the military are failing because of systemic challenges and leadership flaws.
Following the lecture, cadets had the opportunity to interact with the guest speaker through an interactive session.
Rear Admiral Istifanus Albara, the Flag Officer Commanding Officer of the Naval Training Command, who was also speaking to the cadets, reiterated the need for moral leadership and urged them to lead by example, treat staff members with respect, and uphold professional competence.
The cadets were commended for their accomplishments by Rear Admiral Haruna Zego, the commander of the Nigerian Naval College, who also emphasized that the event was a part of a series honoring the successful completion of training.
After the course was finished, the cadets expressed satisfaction. Junmai Bitrus expressed her happiness at the completion of the program and pledged to lead by example. Benedict Udofia vowed to serve as a trustworthy mentor.
Source: Channels TV
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