Odita Sunday 
COAS Charges Restore Hope IX Graduates On Combat Excellence
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged officers and soldiers graduating from Exercise Restore Hope IX to convert the rigours of their training into decisive operational victories as they deploy to various theatres to confront Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
The COAS gave the charge at the Final Exercise and Graduation Ceremony of Restore Hope IX, held on Friday, 23 January 2026, at the Nigerian Army Training Camp, Kachia, Kaduna State.
Lieutenant General Shaibu emphasised that combat excellence, discipline, adaptability and teamwork remain non-negotiable requirements for success in today’s complex and asymmetric operational environment.
He urged the graduating troops to uphold the highest standards of professionalism while discharging their duties across joint and multi-agency operations nationwide.
Describing Exercise Restore Hope as a strategic pillar of the Nigerian Army’s transformation agenda, the Army Chief noted that the programme is designed to build a professional, resilient and mission-oriented force capable of responding decisively to contemporary security threats.
According to him, the advanced infantry training has equipped the graduates with enhanced marksmanship, physical endurance, combat medical proficiency and mental resilience, critical for sustaining high-tempo operations in challenging terrains.
The COAS further stressed that operational success must be firmly anchored on ethical conduct, respect for human rights and accountability, noting that adherence to these principles is essential for sustaining public trust and operational legitimacy.
He commended the instructors and training establishments for maintaining high standards, adding that graduates of previous editions of Exercise Restore Hope have consistently distinguished themselves across various theatres of operation.
Earlier, the Chief of Training (Army), Major General V. U. Okoro, described Exercise Restore Hope now in its ninth series as one of the Nigerian Army’s most critical post-basic training platforms, aimed at sharpening combat skills, building resilience and preparing soldiers for modern battlefield reality
General Shaibu formally declared Exercise Restore Hope IX closed, congratulated the graduating officers and soldiers, and approved the immediate promotion and decoration of seven soldiers who distinguished themselves as instructors during the exercise
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