Nigerian Army Holds Sensitization Lecture On Contingency Plan, Campaign Plan

Nigerian Army Holds Sensitization Lecture On Contingency Plan, Campaign Plan

The Army Headquarters (AHQ) Team on Drafting Contingency Plan and Campaign Plan, led by the Deputy Chief of Operations (Army), Major General AM Alechenu, was on a tour of duty at Headquarters (HQ) 2 Division, Nigerian Army (NA) Ibadan, on Tuesday 26 March, 2024. The visit was to deliver a sensitization lecture on the procedures of drafting Contingency Plan and Campaign Plan, which will enhance relevant NA operations.

Declaring the one day lecture open, Major General Alechenu, harped on the importance of sensitizing commanders and staff officers on the procedures of drafting credible Contingency Plan and Campaign Plan, to aid NA operations towards achieving the desired end state and military objective.

Speaking further, the Deputy Chief of Operations (Army), said, “Over time, the AHQ DAOPS, discovered that the Contingency Plan used by formations in the defence of their Areas of Responsibility (AOR), have too many discrepancies. So in 2023, while the department was reviewing its activities for the year, it felt that there was the need to tour the Divisions and Theatres for the purpose of guiding commanders and staff officers on how best to draft a Contingency Plan.” He noted that there are no right or wrong answers to drafting a Contingency Plan. However, he said there should be an acceptable standard for the NA; making particular emphasis on unified headings.

Similarly, the team leader, emphasised that Campaign Plans are basically used in operations where the threats are known; adding that AHQ DAOPS, is saddled with the responsibility of providing necessary strategic guidance for relevant formations to draft a Campaign Plan that would aid the NA to achieve the desired end state and military objective.

The resource person, Lieutenant Colonel MO Olaosegba, while delivering his lecture, noted that planning is a daily activity which is not restricted to military personnel alone. He said that while planning in military and civil contexts differ, they are both designed to aid in achieving specific goals and objectives.

Lieutenant Colonel Olaosegba, noted that AHQ DAOPS, has found out some prevalent challenges associated with preparing realistic Contingency Plan and developing Campaign Plan. To bridge these gaps, he said AHQ DAOPS deemed it necessary to organize sensitization lectures across all NA Divisions to refresh commanders and staff officers on the basic rudiments and techniques involved in the preparation of a Contingency Plan and Campaign Plan. “So I consider this opportunity provided by the NA a great privilege for commanders and staff officers at various levels, to interact and share their experiences and knowledge on the subject matter. This will help in enhancing and building capacity of officers in the act of drafting Contingency Plan and Campaign Plan”, he said.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division NA, Major General OG Onubogu, while summing up the interactive session, noted that the sensitization lecture was an opportunity for commanders and staff officers to refresh their minds on the procedures of drafting Contingency Plan and Campaign Plan. He said that the lecture was a call to review the processes of drafting Contingency Plan and Campaign Plan. “It affords us to go back to the drawing board and practicalize these processes by taking up areas within our AOR where necessary, to map out Contingency Plans that will aid us in achieving success in our operations.” He added that wars could be fought without applying attrition. “All that is required to win a war using maneuverist approach are embedded in a well drafted Contingency Plan and Campaign Plan,” he said.

The GOC, appreciated the efforts of AHQ DAOPS for the laudable initiative; and thanked the team for taking the pains going round the Divisions to deliver the lectures.

Highpoints of the lecture were a robust interactive session and group photograph.