Nigerian Army gives all Personnel One Year to learn Igbo,
Hausa & Yoruba
It is now mandatory for all officers and soldiers in the
Nigerian Army to understand the 3 major languages in the country – Igbo, Hausa
and Yoruba, Premium Times reports.
The Army announced the policy change on Wednesday morning,
asking that all its personnel be proficient in the 3 languages by December
2018.
The army spokesperson, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, made the
announcement adding that it will be an added advantage of applicants if they
already are proficient in the languages.
The new policy will ensure better communication with the
populace, Usman said, and will enhance information gathering.
Read the Army’s full statement below:
NIGERIAN ARMY INTRODUCES NEW LANGUAGE POLICY FOR OFFICERS
AND SOLDIERS
1. The Nigerian Army has introduced a new Language Policy.
The study of foreign and local languages is world-wide practice among armies,
in which officers and soldiers are encouraged to be multi-lingual. The Policy
will foster espirit-de-corps and better communication with the populace to
enhance information gathering, civil-military relations, increase understanding
between militaries when operating abroad and assist officers and soldiers to
perform their duties professionally.
2. It is to be noted that English remains the official
language in the Nigerian Army. Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa languages could be used
during Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities or interrogation.
Therefore all Army personnel have been given one year to learn the three major
Nigerian languages. Invariably, by December 2018, all Nigerian Army personnel
are expected to learn the three major Nigerian languages. The standard of
proficiency to be attained is the basic level. Certificated proficiency level will
attract Language Allowance.
3. The ability to speak the 3 major Nigerian languages will
be an added advantage to those applying for recruitment or commissioning into
the Nigerian Army. Therefore, prospective candidates are encouraged to learn
Nigerian languages other than their mother tongues.
4. Before now, the Nigerian Army officially encouraged the
learning of French, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese and Swahili. French language is
an assessed subject in some career courses and examinations for Nigerian Army
personnel.
Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman
Director Army Public Relations
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