President Buhari’s Address at the Passing out parade of 63 Regular course of NDA

I am delighted to be in the Nigerian Defence Academy again this time to review the Passing Out Parade of Cadets of the 63 Regular Course.  Since I came here a year ago to review the Parade of 62 Regular Course, I am pleased to note that the Academy has made tremendous progress in terms of both physical infrastructure and quality of teaching and training.

President Muhammadu Buhari

I always look forward to coming here to perform this duty as it reminds me of my cadet days as well as the opportunity it gives me to appreciate the tremendous progress and achievements of the Nigerian Defence Academy and the Armed Forces since independence.

The excellent parade we have just witnessed is a testimony to the high standard of training and discipline the Academy has set.  I, therefore, commend the Commandant, instructors and gentlemen officer cadets for this outstanding parade.  Today’s Passing Out Parade has an added significance because, for the first time in 52 years, this Academy is graduating female cadets who will be commissioned as regular officers into the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

While congratulating these soon-to-be pioneer female Regular Combatant officers for their courage and resilience in the past 5 years, I advise the Services to put in place adequate institutional mechanisms to evaluate the deployment or otherwise of our female officers in active combat roles.  But we must be careful to carry public opinion with us and respect cultural sensitivities.

I am delighted to note the series of transformations that have taken place in this great institution within the past one year which includes:

·        The Indoor Gallery Shooting Range which is the best in the sub-region;

·        An enhanced obstacle course and

·        A standard armoury.

Additionally, recent improvements in physical and human resources have led to the accreditation of 5 academic programmes by the National Universities Commission.  I commend the Commandant and staff of the Academy for these outstanding achievements within the last one year.

This Administration will continue to support the Ministry of Defence especially in capacity building and improving the welfare of its personnel in the Armed Forces.  Only recently, the Federal Executive Council approved the treasury funding of the Defined Benefits (Non-Contributory Pension Scheme) for NDA civilian retirees.  The Academy will continue to be assisted in terms of budgetary provision to sustain the high standard of excellence already attained.

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To the passing out cadets, I want to observe that you are graduating into the Armed Forces at a very auspicious time when the gains of several years of sacrifice by our troops are being consolidated.  You are indeed moving into a path of honour, sacrifice and responsibility.  You are also moving to the next level having been found worthy in learning and character to move from being Cadets to officers.

Therefore, as you step out of this noble institution, your character will determine how far you can go.  Endeavour to be patriotic and exhibit the highest level of discipline and loyalty to one Nigeria.  Above all you must strive to keep to the tenets of the profession by remaining apolitical.  You are also required to exhibit the highest sense of integrity, patriotism and exemplary service to the nation and its people.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, you will all recall that this Administration inherited a badly managed Boko Haram insurgency in the North East.  The violence even spread beyond North Eastern states.  But the capacity of the insurgents to launch attacks has now been significantly curtailed.  Boko Haram’s capacity to hold territories has been obliterated.  What is on-going now are mop up operations to clear the remnants of the insurgents from their numerous hideouts.

All these successes are largely the efforts of our gallant troops of the Nigerian Military.  I