COAS OPERATIONALIZES 37 NDA DEMONSTRATION BATTALION …Charges Army Cadets to be exemplary
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya today Friday 25 February 2022 operationalized 37 Nigerian Defence Academy Demonstration Battalion in Afaka, Kaduna State.
During the ceremony, which took place at the premises of the premier military institution, Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), the COAS stated that timely review and adjustment of Order of Battle for the Nigerian Army (NA) has become imperative, due to the fluidity and dynamic nature of contemporary threats to national security.
He noted that this necessitated the need to establish the new battalion pointing out that the establishment of the battalion had earlier been approved by the NDA Council. He added that its activation is a practical demonstration of the NA’s commitment to enhancing national security by complementing the capacity development efforts of the NDA, which has the mandate of producing quality junior military officers for the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The COAS stressed that in his effort to enable the battalion achieve its dual mandate of supporting the training of cadets and the provision of security to Kaduna State, he authorized the issuance of vehicles, arms, ammunition and other enablers to facilitate a smooth take off for the new battalion.
The COAS also commissioned the headquarters building of the battalion, the battalion officers’ mess and conducted a foundation laying ceremony to commence the construction of accommodation for officers and soldiers of the battalion.
While addressing the troops, the COAS charged them to be exemplary and live by the battalion’s motto, which is, “Resilience and Adaptability.†He urged them to demonstrate the traits of the battalion’s mascot, the “Honey Badgerâ€, a creature, known to be fearless, resourceful, resilient and adaptable.
In an earlier event, which also took place on the same day, the COAS addressed passing out cadets of Short Service Course 47 (Army), where he charged the cadets, who will be passing out tomorrow, Saturday 26 February 2022, from the Nigerian Defence Academy, to imbibe the principles of their training and be loyal, dedicated and committed to military duties.
He also admonished the 295 passing out cadets to shun societal vices such as “get rich quick and drug abuse syndromes†currently permeating the ranks of some misguided youths in the country. He added, that the NA has imbued them with requisite training and discipline to succeed in their military career and to actualize their life ambitions.
The COAS also expressed confidence in the standard of training given to the cadets and their ability to perform effectively in the field, especially, in defence of the nation and the citizenry.
Also speaking during the event, the Commandant NDA, Maj Gen IM Yusuf, described the day as a memorable, noting that the Academy has achieved one of its important milestone. He noted that the desire to upgrade NDA Demonstration Company to a Demonstration Battalion has been long in the offing, started from when the Academy moved into its Permanent Site at Afaka.
The Commandant also appreciated the support from the COAS, Lt Gen F Yahaya, in ensuring that 37 NDA Demo Battalion became operationalized. He expressed confidence that the battalion will meet the needs of the Academy in providing demonstration in support of cadets’ training, as well as in securing the Afaka environ and Kaduna State at large.
Present at the events were Principal Staff Officers from the Defence and Services Headquarters, Commander Infantry Corps, Academy Provost and other senior officers from the NDA.
Highlights of the occasion include presentation and hoisting of the battalion flag, decoration of poineer Commanding Officer of 37 NDA Demo Bn, Maj IC Okenna with the battalion insignia, and the inspection of Quarter Guard by the COAS. Other notable activities were the battalion accomodation foundation laying ceremony, planting of trees by the COAS and other dignitaries as well as presentation of souvenir to the COAS by the unit’s commanding officer.
BASHIR MUHAMMED JAJIRA
Major
Academy Public Relations Officer
25 February 2022
