The Nigerian Defence Academy, (NDA), has announced plans to integrate International Humanitarian Law into its training curriculum, a move aimed at promoting respect for human rights.
The decision comes after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, (MoU), between the NDA and the International Committee of the Red Cross, (ICRC), at the academy’s headquarters in Kaduna.
The partnership between the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Nigerian Defence Academy, is aimed at enhancing the Defence Academy’s curriculum
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Aneke, who signed on behalf of the Commandant, said that the partnership is designed to equip future military leaders with the skills to handle conflicts with empathy and integrity, ensuring their actions align with humanitarian principles.
He said the collaboration will also lead to the development of training programmes, workshops, and research initiatives, focused on humanitarian law, human rights, and military ethics.
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Yann Bonzon, the Team Leader of the International Committee of the Red Cross, highlighted that the MoU is the first of its kind with any institution of the Nigerian Armed Forces, marking a significant milestone in a relationship that has spanned over two decades.
As part of the implementation, a three-day symposium on International Humanitarian Law will be conducted for the graduating cadets of the 71 Regular Course.
It will be followed by a tactical exercise without troops, to further refine the application of the MoU.
(Editor: Oloyede Oworu)
