FG Pledges More Support for Military, Commends NDA for Training Officers

The Federal Government has pledged to support the Nigerian military in discharging their constitutional duties of defending the nation’s territorial integrity. The government also commended the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) for training officers for the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force.

The Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, made the pledge at the convocation ceremony of the cadets of the 70 Regular Course in NDA Kaduna State. He was represented by the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar.

Shettima said the academy remains a vital institution in Nigeria’s defence and security architecture and called on the graduates to continue to play their constitutional role in protecting the nation. He said the knowledge acquired at the academy should be used to assist the current administration in actualizing its “Renewed Hope Agenda” for the citizenry.

He expressed the government’s commitment and determination to bring an end to the complex security challenges faced by the country. He stressed that education remains a key component of human security required to drive the country’s technological advancements for the benefit of every Nigerian.

“Education will continue to play a critical role in maintaining and enhancing the nation’s security,” he said. “I must commend the Nigerian Defence Academy Commandant and authorities for their great work in this regard. We are very proud of the Nigerian Defence Academy for its constitutional role in producing officers with broad-based training in both military and academic subjects designed to serve as a foundation for the future progressive development of officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces.”

The Commandant of the NDA, Maj. Gen. J.O. Ochai, said the academy had inculcated integrity, discipline, leadership, and a sense of duty in the military. He charged the graduates to go into the world and strive for excellence while advising them never to stop learning so that they could contribute positively to the development and security of the nation.

Highlights of the ceremony included the presentation of certificates and academic prizes to the best graduating students from the prestigious academy. More importantly, the academy conferred honorary doctorate degrees to two eminent Nigerians: Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (rtd) and Barr. Allen Ifechukwu Onyema.

The ceremony was attended by the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, the Permanent Secretary of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, and others.