Enugu: The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, emphasized the military’s commitment to the emotional and psychological wellbeing of troops engaged in various theatres of operations. This statement was made during the Defence Headquarters 2025 First Bi-Annual Sensitisation Training on Stress Management, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Emotional Intelligence for military personnel.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the one-day sensitisation event took place at the 82 Division Headquarters in Enugu. Represented by Maj.-Gen. Wara Idris, the Director of Innovation and Concept Development in Defence Headquarters, the CDS highlighted the importance of mental health for ensuring the optimal performance of soldiers and the overall effectiveness of the troops.
Gen. Musa expressed that the event signifies a growing recognition of the need to safeguard the mental health of military personnel, who regularly make significant sacrifices for national peace and stability. He noted that while troops have historically faced traumatic conditions in battle, mental health had not always been adequately addressed.
The CDS emphasized that recent changes focusing on mental and emotional wellbeing therapies have contributed to improved troop success and individual wellness. The sensitisation aims to equip soldiers with the tools necessary to manage stress and PTSD effectively and enhance their emotional intelligence to address various challenges.
He further stressed the importance of educating soldiers about seeking help from health and mental experts when needed and reducing the stigma associated with stress and trauma.
Maj.-Gen. Oluyemi Olatoye, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, praised President Bola Tinubu and the CDS for their support. He attributed the operational successes in the South-East and Cross River regions to this backing. Olatoye encouraged participants to engage actively in the sensitisation to improve their skills and overall wellbeing.
The event gathered military personnel from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, and Nigerian Navy, highlighting a unified approach to addressing mental health within the armed forces.