COAS commissions land force simulation center,   declares 2023 simulation workshop open 

Stanley Ihedigbo

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya on Tuesday 17 January 2023 commissioned the Land Forces Simulation Center Nigeria (LFSCN) Giri Abuja and also declared the first quarter 2023 simulation workshop open.

In his remarks, the COAS appreciates the leadership of the Centre for crafting a suitable theme for the workshop that was much in line with the cardinals of his vision to transformr the NA. General Yahaya reiterated that simulation training with the use of technologies was a veritable enabler for preparing NA personnel for current and future operational challenges.

Earlier In his welcome address, the Director General Land Forces Simulation Center Nigeria, Major General Felix Omoigui, stated that the COAS since his assumption of office has provided the centre with both software and hardware equipment to make it operational adding that notable among the equipment was MASA SWORD (robust wargaming software), capable of covering the whole range of NA ongoing operations.

He also noted that the COAS in his quest to make the centre one of the best simulation training centre in Sub Saharan Africa, recently approved the procurement and installation of the VBS 4 software and the viewing centre.

General Felix added that the COAS has also approved an 80-KVA solar-powered station for the centre, and has also provided additional virtual firing simulator for NASI and Depot NA while plans were underway to acquire weapons and equipment simulators of various categories for the combat support corps like the armour and artillery.

He added that with these acquisitions and more in the centre will not only be able to sharpen the battle decision making capability of commanders of all the combat arms, combat services and combat support services of the Nigerian Army, but would also enable the centre exercises the oversight functions it was mandated to provide for the Corp Schools that have been provided with equipment simulator.

General Omoigui made emphasis that the simulation workshop, with the theme “Using simulation technology to enhance Nigerian Army’s Operational Readiness and Doctrine in Peace and War times”, aptly fits into the Chief of Army Staff Vision.

He further stated that the Simulation workshop was the first training activity for the centre in year 2023 training cycle and would set the tone for subsequent activities in the centre this year.

It could be recalled that the Centre was established in March 2019 to enhance the operational readiness of the NA using simulation technologies.

Highpoint of the event was presentation of surveniers to the COAS, highlight of the project history, tour of the center’s facility and group photograph.