Maj.-Gen. Mayirenso Saraso, GOC, 1 Division Nigerian Army,  has advised cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) to be good military leaders.

According to him, this ensures that troops can risk their lives to follow them even in the most dangerous circumstances.

Mr Saraso gave the advice at the NDA commandant’s luncheon in honour of the passing out cadets of 71 Regular Course, Direct Short Service Course 28 Army and 32 Air Force on Sunday in Kaduna.

Mr Saraso, also the commander of Operations Whirl Punch, said the luncheon’s purpose was not only to wine and dine but to interact and guide them to use their wealth of experiences effectively.

He said other senior serving officers, including the retired ones, had endured the path they had just undertaken as cadets and the service life they had yet to experience.

Mr Saraso said, “I urge you to get as much as you can from your interactions with them to chart a better future for yourself in the military. We are rightly gathered here to recognise and celebrate your success. It is but only the start of your career as potential officers in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

“The baton of responsibility for leading and inspiring troops, which is the very essence of being a commissioned officer, is just about to be handed over to you. It is both an immense privilege and a daunting challenge.”

He, however, said that the cadets have been adequately trained and prepared for the challenges ahead by some of the very best officers.

“It’s indeed not an accident that you have made it this far. Each of you has demonstrated the very special values that are essential for leadership. If you do not possess such values, you will not be fit for this luncheon,” Mr Saraso said.

He explained that from his experience over the past decades, the nation can bestow no higher honour on the cadets than trusting them to lead men in combat, either at home or abroad.

Mr Saraso added that that was the kind of positive recognition they should seek to achieve and be fondly proud of for the rest of their lives.

(NAN)