The National Assembly has intensified plans to ease the smooth transition of the military-focused schools’ graduates into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

The development is part of a strategy to enhance the combat strength of the armed forces.

The four military-focused schools are: the Nigeria Military School Zaria, Kaduna, the Air Force and the Military School Jos, in Plateau.

Others are Air Force Military School (Girls) Jos, Plateau and the Navy Military School Ikot-Ituen, in Akwa Ibom.

Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, member, representing Doguwa/Tudun-Wada Federal Constituency, Kano, disclosed this on the sidelines of the 67th Passing Out Parade (POP) of the Nigeria Military School (NMS) in Zaria.

Mr Ado-Doguwa said the bill to amend the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) Act had passed second reading.

According to him, the bill seeks, among others, the seamless transition of students from the four Nigerian military schools into NDA.

The lawmaker noted that most of the students of the military schools had acquired some of the basic arms handling and military skills, adding that such students should be encouraged to pursue a career in the military.

This, according to him, will enhance the combat strength of the Armed Forces, while assuring that the bill will have an overwhelming support of the national assembly.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, had restated the Nigerian Army’s commitment to building a well-educated, professionally competent and future-ready army, through strategic investment in education.

The COAS who was the reviewing officer and special guest of honour at the ceremony, was represented by Maj.-Gen. Mayirenso Saraso, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna.

Mr Oluyede said there was a window of opportunity for graduands who intended to pursue a career in the military to get placement into the NDA.

However, the COAS further explained that the criteria for admission into the NDA were spelt out, stressing that such criteria were applicable to all Nigerians.

He added that the graduating students were encouraged to apply, because they have a better advantage, following the preliminary military training and orientation they obtained at the NMS.

In an interview, Ikenna Madueke, chairman, Parents and Instructors’ Association, NMS, urged the government to expand budgetary provisions for military training to accommodate more cadets to bolster the manpower needs of the armed forces.

Mr Madueke reiterated that boys and girls from the military schools received both academic and military training.

He noted that they would become masters in arms and martial arts by the time they graduated from the school.

“As parents, we are looking at ways where this military training in ex-boys can be harnessed, through their integration into NDA, just as the global trend,’’ he said.

(NAN)