President Bola Tinubu addressed a parade of newly commissioned officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces on Saturday in Kaduna, urging the graduates to uphold the Constitution, protect Nigerians and safeguard the nation’s economy.
The ceremony, organised by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas, saw cadets from the 73 Regular Course (Army, Navy and Air Force), Short Service Course 49 (Army), Direct Short Service Course 34 (Air Force) and Branch Commission Course 3 (Air Force) march past the gates of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).
In his speech, Tinubu praised the Academy’s Commandant and staff for turning cadets into “battle‑ready, intellectually equipped and morally grounded leaders.” He noted that the NDA, founded in 1964, has evolved to meet emerging security threats by blending military training with academic education and character development.
The President highlighted the Academy’s expanded counter‑terrorism and counter‑insurgency training, its rapid integration of technology, and its growing partnerships with leading military institutions worldwide. Cadets currently train in the United Kingdom, United States, Brazil and France, and have been invited to compete in military contests in the U.S., Brazil and China, signalling international recognition of the Academy’s standards.
He added that the NDA serves as a regional hub, training officers from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Niger, Sierra Leone and Uganda. The Academy has also modernised its facilities, expanding classrooms, staff and cadets’ quarters, firing ranges and simulation centres, and has produced innovations such as precision‑guided munitions, remotely operated weapon systems and multipurpose mobile robots through its Centre for Innovation and Creativity.
Addressing the graduates, Tinubu urged them to remain disciplined, honourable, professional and committed to self‑less service, warning that “your duty is to uphold the Constitution, safeguard our economy and protect our people.” He reminded them that security must be paired with job creation, macroeconomic stability, human‑capital development and social protection, and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to democracy, regional stability and economic integration through ECOWAS and other bodies. He thanked the families of the cadets for their support and concluded with, “Congratulations, graduating cadets, and congratulations to the Nigerian Defence Academy. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
