Nigeria has deployed over 100,000 medical contingents to forty peacekeeping missions in Africa and across the world.
The Chief, training and operations of the Army headquarters, Major General Nuhu Angbazo said during graduation ceremony of Nigerian Medical contingent for the United Nations Multi-dimensional integrated stabilization mission in Mali (MINUSMA), at Martin Luther Agwai international leadership and peacekeeping centre Jaji, kaduna.
Represented by Major General Emeka Onumajuro, Major General Nuhu Angbazo explained that the mission was to ensure security and stability in Africa with specific emphasis on West African sub-region.
He said participating in peace support operations was one of the specific task of the Armed forces in realizing international peace and security objectives.
The Chief noted that as a pre-requisite, member states have the responsibility for delivering of pre-deployment training for its personnel prior to UN operations.
According to him, techniques, processes and procedures, the troops were exposed to in the course of training is intended to put them in good frame of mind to discharge their duties effectively.
Major General Nuhu Angbazo urged the contingent to respect cultural and religious diversity of the operating environment.
Earlier, Commandant of the Martin Luther Agwai peace keeping centre, Major General James Ataguba said the participants were introduced to UN peacekeeping which covered principles of peacekeeping, working as one in a mission, mission partners and comprehensive protection of civilians.
He maintained that the contingents also taken on basic life support and advanced life support training, and was the first time organised with support of German Technical Advisory Group and a team from Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria.
The commandant cautioned contingent against tarnishing image of the Armed forces of Nigeria and the nation in general, stressing that ECOWAS and UN have zero tolerance to sexual exploitation and abuse.
A total of fifty-nine Nigerian Medical contingent were deployed to Mali after undergoing a three week training.
Usman Sani.