CDS closes Exercise Haske Biyu 2025, commends participants’ professionalism

By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has officially declared the three-week Exercise Haske Biyu 2025 closed with a commendation for participants for their professionalism, commitment and teamwork.

The multi-agency exercise, held at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Kaduna State, was designed to strengthen collaboration among Nigeria’s security stakeholders and build strategic synergy with ministries, departments and agencies.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, General Musa praised the Commandant and the entire College community for what he described as an excellent execution of the exercise.

He said the programme had once again demonstrated the central role of the AFCSC in shaping the future of internal security operations through joint training and intellectual engagement.

The CDS highlighted the significance of the theme, “family and national security,” noting that strong families form the bedrock of national stability.

He lauded the integration of family values, civic responsibility and moral resilience into the programme, stressing that a secure nation begins with cohesive families and communities.

He also expressed appreciation for the presence of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the opening ceremony, describing her participation and keynote address as a mark of the national importance of the exercise.

General Musa urged participants to put the lessons learnt into practical use in their professional duties. “The knowledge gained here should translate into actionable solutions for the collective pursuit of peace and stability,” he said.

In his remarks, Commandant of AFCSC, Air Vice Marshal Hassan Alhaji, said the exercise emphasised the role of families in building a disciplined and patriotic society. He warned that weak family structures could create opportunities for extremism, disunity and insecurity.

According to him, the programme also provided a platform for participants to generate practical solutions to national challenges while strengthening their capacity as stakeholders in national development.

He disclosed that next year’s edition would consolidate the achievements of 2025 and expand participation to include representatives of the executive, legislature and judiciary, as well as other relevant groups.

During the event, General Musa inaugurated the remodelled Staff Duties Wing of the College.

Participants in the exercise included student officers of Senior Course 47/2024 of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, ministries, departments and agencies, non-governmental organisations, the media, strategic partners and other professional bodies.