Former commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), retired Maj.-Gen. Patrick Akpa, has urged officers of the Short Service Course 33 to sustain brotherhood forged in service and prepare deliberately for post-retirement life.

Mr Akpa gave the advice on Saturday night at the inaugural reunion dinner of SSC 33 to mark their 22nd anniversary in Abuja.

He said he considered the course dear to his heart because of his role in planning the intake as Military Secretary, and also being the commandant when they passed out of NDA.

“Course mates are brothers from different mothers. The bond is strong because it was forged out of love, shared hardship, physical indoctrination and adversity in training.

“That glue lasts for life – from the academy until you go six feet below the ground,” he said.

Mr Akpa said he was impressed that SSC 33 convened the reunion while many members were still serving, saying it was worthy of emulation.

He praised the theme of the event, which was, “Legacy for Excellence, Uniting for a Greater Tomorrow”, stating that reunions provided rare opportunities for officers to reconnect with colleagues, families and widows of fallen classmates.

The retired general also paid tribute to military wives and widows for the burdens they bear on the home front, especially amid frequent deployments and the uncertainties of counter-insurgency operations.

“Just as the husbands are fighting, the wives are also contributing to national development. And widows, whose husbands paid the ultimate price, must never be abandoned,” he said.

On career paths, Mr Akpa reminded officers that whether regular or short service, promotion depended on merit, not entitlement.

According to him, it is not a chieftaincy title. The officer decorates the rank, not the rank decorating the officer.

He advised serving officers to begin preparing for retirement early, warning that military life was “addictive” and could make many forget the need to build a secure future.

“With hindsight, I would say the day you are commissioned should be the day you start thinking of retirement. Do not retire until you have adequate security for your family.

“Choose carefully if you venture into business or politics after service. Select a line you have passion for. Do not rush into risky investments or allow others to run your business for you.

“By staging this reunion, you have done something novel. May the memory of your fallen comrades remain eternal, may the bonds of your brotherhood never fade, and may your collective future shine brighter than the past.”

Earlier, the president of SSC 33, Col. Ikechukwu Akabike, described the 22nd anniversary and reunion of the course as a celebration of enduring camaraderie, sacrifice and service to the nation.

Mr Akabike said the gathering was not just of individuals but of a family bound together by shared experiences, trials and triumphs.

According to him, the bonds they formed during training have endured the test of time, and it is a testament to the strength of our camaraderie that we continue to support and inspire one another.

Mr Akabike recalled the hardships and sacrifices of military training, noting that they helped shape officers of “character, courage and dedication” who have left a mark on the Nigerian Army.

He also paid tribute to departed colleagues, stressing that though absent in body, “their memories and legacies continue to inspire us.”

 (NAN)