*CNS CHARGES GRADUATING CADETS TO BRACE UP TO CURRENT REALITIES IN SECURITY ENVIRONMENT *
The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, has tasked cadets of the 68 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy to be ready to meet the high expectations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria by bracing up to play their part towards resolving contemporary security challenges.
Vice Admiral Gambo gave this charge when he addressed the cadets during the Academy Regimental Dinner in honour of the graduating cadets of 68 Regular Course, which held at the NDA Cadets Mess, Afaka Campus.
According to Vice Admiral Gambo, who was Special Guest of Honour at the event, there is no doubt in his mind that the Nigerian Defence Academy has prepared the cadets adequately for the task ahead of them.
He said “Since its establishment in 1964, the Nigerian Defence Academy has consistently transformed its physical infrastructure and intellectual human capital to meet the manpower needs of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. I therefore, have no doubt that the Academy has prepared you cadets adequately to meet the demands of the ever changing volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous operational environment. You must therefore brace up to the current expectation to meet up with the contemporary challenges and play your part to justify the huge investment that the nation has made on youâ€.
The CNS further challenged the graduating cadets to strive to develop themselves further by acquiring more knowledge and skills to match the dynamism of the operational environment which they are about to enter. He also admonished the cadets to maintain a high sense of responsibility, integrity, dedication, knowledge, and above all, good character if they nurse any hope of rising to generalship in the armed forces. Vice Admiral Gambo further charged them to always display the highest level of discipline, loyalty and professionalism in all of their endeavours as military officers.
Vice Admiral Gambo also used the occasion to commend the gallantry of officers and men of the Armed Forces and other security agencies for their selfless sacrifices over the years which have contributed to keeping the nation together. He challenged the graduating cadets to emulate their predecessors and contribute to the current gains in the fight against terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.
He stated that “Recently, the military has recorded a lot of successes in the fight against Boko Haram Terrorism as well as other forms of insurgency and banditry in different parts of the country. You are therefore called upon to follow suit to ensure that the ultimate sacrifices paid by our fallen heroes do not go in vain.â€
The CNS also praised the efforts of the Commandant NDA, Major General IM Yusuf, instructors and staff of the Nigerian Defence Academy for their efforts in shaping the character of the cadets and providing them with purposeful military training and sound academic foundation.
The Regimental Dinner which was hosted in honour of the graduating cadets of 68 Regular Course of the Academy follows military traditions aimed at fostering comradeship between senior officers and junior officers in the armed forces, providing an opportunity for useful interactions, exchange of views, and mentorship. For the cadets in particular, the occasion offers an avenue for them to learn the virtues of military etiquette and regimental procedures required of a gentleman military officer.
The occasion also witnessed the presentation of awards to deserving 68Regular Course cadets who have distinguished themselves in training and conduct. These awards include Indian Shield (Army) for Best in Tactics, awarded to Academy Cadet Adjutant, CDT AA Abdulrahman; Indian Shield (Navy) for Best in Rules of the Road (ROR), Seamanship and Navigation, awarded to CDT AA Cletus; and Indian Shield (Air Force) for Best in Aerodynamics, which went to CDT SS Mohammed. Others include Bronze Medal (Army), CSUO CDT AO Adeleke, Bronze Medal (Navy), CDT A Tanko and Bronze Medal (Air Force), CDT S Aderonwale. High points of the regimental dinner include pre and post dinner drinks, presentation of souvenirs to some deserving Cadets and the SGoH as well as the conducting of NDA Band by the Chief of the Naval Staff.
BASHIR MOHAMMED JAJIRA
Major
Academy Public Relations Officer
30 September 2021
