The mandate of the PKW was to give Nigerian troops pre-induction training on PSOs.  This has proven not only a worthwhile endeavour but has become a turning point in the nation’s outstanding performance in PSOs.

The NA Road Map for the PKW as outlined by the founding fathers articulated a 3 phased development plan for the Wing which encompassed short, medium and long term duration.  The phase one, which spanned from Jul – Sep 04 aimed at producing a Roadmap and Training Plan for the smooth take off of the PKW in the immediate short term. Within this period, all materials and requirements for the Wing to take off were produced, and the training programme for MILOBs and Junior Commanders’ Train-the-Trainer (T3) courses were drawn up. Most facilities were put in place for the smooth take off of the Wing.

The phase 2 of the development plan focused on the consolidation on the gains of Phase One by conducting operational courses as well as providing immediate requirements for conducting tactical training at Company and Battalion levels. This was achieved in the Medium Term, from Sep 04 until Sep 06.  The Wing successfully produced trainers for NA units and trained MILOBs and staff officers for deployment.

The Phase 3 development plan, which is the Long Term, spans from Sep 2006 to Sep 2010. The aim is to consolidate the gains of Phases One and Two while providing realistic tactical training for rotating troops. The construction of the 16 blocks soldiers’ accommodation and two FOBs have been duly completed, One of the main objectives of this phase, which is to develop the PKW into an autonomous institution was realised when the Wing was upgraded to NAPKC on 9 Jan 09 with enlarged objectives of meeting the requirements of turning the NAPKC into a Centre of Excellence worthy of international recognition.

A total of 22,504 all ranks made up of 1,821 officers and 20,683 soldiers in a total of 39 Courses have so far been  successfully trained before the upgrade into NAPKC.   The Centre is determined to pursue the goals for which it was established in tandem with the NA vision for peacekeeping which is “to inject quality Nigerian Army Peacekeepers into regional and UN Peace Support Missions”. This is in agreement with the vision of the COAS which is  

“To ensure that the NA continues to be the pride of the Nation, with the capacity not only to discharge our constitutional responsibilities, but to also meet contemporary challenges through the effective utilization of available resources; high standards of training and discipline; adherence to military values; effective command and control; observance of the rule of law and excellent civil-military relations.”

The NAPKC will strive and continue in its endeavour to deliver high quality PSO training to Nigerian Army personnel involved in PSO.

MISSION AND OBJECTIVES OF THE CENTRE

The NAPKC has as its focus, the NA vision for peacekeeping which is “to inject quality Nigerian peacekeepers into UN and regional peace support missions.”

In accomplishing its mission, the end state of the Centre is to improve the quality and operational competence of NA personnel for successful participation in the multi-national peace support environment.

The objectives of the Centre are as follows:

a.  To impart realistic tactical training to officers/soldiers and formed units nominated for PSOs.
b.  To provide effective training for officers and NCOs in tactical skills, staff duties and specialist courses.
c.  To complement the tactical and operational knowledge of NA personnel gained from other peacekeeping training institutions.
d.  To provide mission specific training to units earmarked for PSOs to enhance performance and efficiency.
e.  To provide a platform for multi complex training of Peacekeepers to meet national needs, ie, to accommodate the Police, the civilian components and IO/NGO, who are stakeholders in PSOs.

The end state of the objectives of the NAPKC is “to improve the quality and operational competence of NA personnel for successful participation in multi-national peace support environment”.

The upgrade to an autonomous Centre necessitated the need to restructure the existing organogram to a simple workable/functional structure but suitable to meet the expected international standard. The structure has 3 principal departments namely Peacekeeping Department, Executive Department and Research Department. The organization of the NAPKC after the upgrade is shown below:

The Peacekeeping Department delivers programmes, the Executive Department coordinates activities, while the Research Department maintains liaison. The NAPKC is headed by a Commandant who is of the rank of Brig Gen. All the departments are headed by officers not below/above the rank of Colonel or equivalent in the case of the Research Department which should be headed by a civilian.

The staff strength is made up of Instructors, General and Support Staff.

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