By Lawrence Audu
The Force Commander Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) Major General Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim has called for the support of Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in training and capacity development for officers and men of the MNJTF.
General Ibrahim made the call Friday, 03 February 2023 when visited the Centre Accra Ghana. The visit was sequel to the invitation extended to the MNJTF by the KAIPTC.
The Force Commander who was received on arrival by the Commandant KAIPTC Major General Richard Addo Gyane and other staff of the Centre, while thanking the Commandant for the invitation and warm reception accorded him and his delegation, described the KAIPTC as a world class training institution and stated that over 30 officers of the MNJTF had benefitted from courses in the Centre.
He added that the quality of training offered by the Centre has helped to build capacity of officers of the MNJTF and further requested for more vacancies for the MNJTF as he looked forward to a more robust partnership in the existing collaboration between the Force and the KAIPTC.
In his remarks, The Commandant KAIPTC Major General Richard Addo Gyane thanked the FC for finding time to visit the KAIPTC and lauded the Force for its achievements and stressed the need for more collaboration between the Centre and the MNJTF in areas of training and capacity development.
The visit featured an extensive brief on the history, roles, functions and achievements of the KAIPTC. Similarly, the MNJTF delegation also delivered a brief on the Force covering history, mandate and achievements among others which was followed by an interactive session with staff of the Centre.
The highpoint of the visit was the decoration of the FC with the banner of the KAIPTC by the Commandant. The event came to an end with the exchange of plaques, signing of the visitor’s book and group photograph. In attendance were the deputy Commandant and other senior officers from the KAIPTC and the MNJTF.
In a related development, the FC paid a courtesy call on the Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana His Excellency Ambassador Ibok-Ete Ibas at Nigeria House Accra.
The High Commissioner appreciated the MNJTF for its efforts in fighting insurgency in the Lake Chad region and urged the sustenance of tempo to bring the menace to an end.
General Ibrahim in his remarks thanked the High Commissioner for hosting him and his delegation and for the warm welcome. He appreciated the High Commissioner for his many years of service to Nigeria and promised to continue to lead the MNJTF professionally until the mandate is achieved.
The Force Commander also visited the Defence Section of the Nigerian High Commission and interacted with the Defence Attaché Col MS Muktar who later hosted him alongside other senior officers from the KAIPTC and the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College to a luncheon.