Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPC), Jaji, on Friday, graduated 37 Army officers and men trained on awareness on sexual exploitation, abuse and gender mainstreaming course.
The commandant of the centre, Maj.-Gen. James Ataguba said that the course was imperative in order to sensitise Nigerian Army officers and soldiers on issues related to sexual exploitation, abuse and gender.
Ataguba said that the world at large and the United Nations (UN) in particular, had zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse.
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In his address, the commandant, quoted the UN Secretary-General while addressing the world leaders on September 18; “let us declare in one voice that we shall not tolerate anyone committing or condoning sexual exploitation and abuse.
“We shall not let anyone cover up these crimes with the UN flag, let us make zero tolerance for a reality”.
He explained that sexual exploitation if left unchecked, could destroy the reputation of an Army as well as jeopardising its missions.
“The course is, therefore, organised based on the Chief of Army Staff’s directive to create a credible awareness of sexual exploitation, abuse and gender among the Nigeria army personnel.
“The knowledge acquired by the officers and soldiers is very important on the basis of the significant role that Nigeria continually plays in complex peacekeeping environments such as Mali, Darfur and Nigeria itself, especially in the theatres of operation in the North East”.
He added that the one-week extensive training which the officers and soldiers had undergone would expose them to some principles and theories, including the development approach of the United Nations Department of Peace Operations.
Ataguba urged the officers to apply the training they received appropriately and make efficient and critical use of it to enable them to achieve the objective for which they were sent to the centre.
NAN
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