Chairman of Senate Committee on Defence Ibrahim Ida has lauded the Nigerian Army for the 'heroic' role it is playing in ensuring the maintenance of peace across the globe over the years.

Ida made the commendation at the closing ceremony of the ECOWAS Senior Mission Leaders Course held at the National Defence College (NDC) in Abuja in which 24 senior military, police and civilian leaders were trained.

Ida said he was delighted that Nigeria was hosting the course for the fourth time stressing that the feat is in "furtherance of and consistent with Nigeria's contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security which has been exhibited in the country's participation in peacekeeping operations all over the world, even before her independence in 1960."

He congratulated participants and urged them as potential peacekeepers to do everything possible to promote peace, support the culture of peace and actively engage in preventive measures that will promote positive peace in our societies.

On his part, the Commandant of NDC Rear Admiral GJ Jonah said participants have been exposed to the UN principles of peacekeeping which include consent of the parties, impartiality, non-use of force except in self defence and defence of mandate, credibility, legitimacy and promotion of local/national ownership.

He said the course modules covered strategic leadership, military operations, resource management, policing in civilian dimension while traversing rule of law, human rights, gender, safety and security, conduct and discipline, legal framework for peace operations and public information among others.