The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Wase, has charged graduating cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), to always uphold the constitution in military service.

Mr Wase stated this at the Commandant Luncheon in honour of Passing Out Cadets of 72 of Regular Course, Short Service Course 48 Army, Direct Short Service Course 33 Air Force and Branch Commission 2 Air Force on Saturday in Kaduna.

He emphasised the importance of aligning their actions with the law, as outlined in the Nigerian Constitution, and avoiding any activities that could tarnish the honour and integrity of the Armed Forces.

Mr Wase encouraged the cadets to devote themselves selflessly to their assigned duties, showing respect to superiors and inspiring subordinates.

The GOC expressed gratitude to the NDA led by its Commandant, Maj-Gen Abdul Ibrahim, for the invitation to the luncheon.

He said the presence of several eminent personalities who had achieved success in various fields provided a valuable opportunity for young officer cadets to interact with them and learn from their wealth of experience.

“I hope the cadets will fully embrace this golden opportunity to share a table with these distinguished guests, not only to enjoy a meal but also to benefit from their insights and wisdom.

“The practical experiences gained through such interactions are invaluable and will undoubtedly influence positively your approach to duty, as well as your overall perspective on life and work,” he said.

He also congratulated the passing out cadets on successfully completing their training, acknowledging their resilience, hard work, and commitment to their military careers.

He reminded the cadets to stay focused, disciplined, and level-headed, especially with the Presidential Commission ceremony approaching.

According to him, a race is not won until the athlete crosses the finish line.

“Therefore, do not celebrate until you have received the prestigious Presidential Commission.

Mr Wase stressed the importance of attending mandatory courses, taking advantage of personal development opportunities, and staying informed about recent developments in their field.

The GOC reminded the graduating cadets that career progression was achieved through hard work and taking responsibility for their actions.

He advised them on the importance of planning for retirement from day one, including developing financial discipline, investing wisely, and acquiring skills that remained useful beyond active service.

He extended special congratulations to the graduating cadets from the Republic of Congo, encouraging them to share their experiences and promote unity and cooperation between nations.

The GOC congratulated the passing out cadets once more, wishing them divine blessings as they pursued their careers in service.

He expressed gratitude to the Commandant and staff of the Academy for their efforts in cultivating a new generation of young officers.

Earlier, the commandant of the Academy, said the event was aimed at preparing the social and mental values of the graduates.

Traditionally, this occasion is one of the key activities carried out as a prelude to the Passing Out Parade of the Academy.

So far, the Nigerian Defence Academy has trained over 20, 000 officers since inception in 1964, a small fraction of whom are from allied countries like Liberia, Benin Republic, The Gambia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Togo and a host of others.

The commandant emphasised the Academy’s mission to educate, train, and inspire officer cadets to become leaders of character, committed to duty, honor, discipline, and integrity.

He stressed the need for cadets to uphold discipline and moral standards, as these values were crucial to their success as military officers.

The commandant advised the passing out cadets to remain committed to their profession, exhibit patriotism, discipline, and loyalty, and strive for excellence in their careers.

He reminded the cadets of the importance of complying with military laws and regulations, emphasising that this is a condition for progressing in their careers.

(NAN)