NDA: CDS urges passing-out cadets to put Nigeria first, embrace innovation
Cadets
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has charged passing-out cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) to put Nigeria first, uphold national interests and embrace innovation in their military careers.
Oluyede gave the charge at the NDA Regimental Dinner Night organised in honour of cadets of the 73 Regular Course, Short Service Course 49 (Army), Direct Short Service Course 34 (Air Force) and Branch Commission Course 3 (Air Force).
The Academy’s Public Relations Officer, Maj. Njoka Irabo, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Kaduna.
Irabo said the event was held at the NDA Cadets’ Mess, Afaka, Kaduna State, as part of activities marking the completion of the cadets’ training.
He said the CDS, who was the special guest of honour, described the occasion as a significant milestone in the lives of the cadets, having successfully undergone rigorous military and academic training.
He commended the cadets for their hard work, sacrifice, perseverance and dedication, urging them to sustain the discipline and professional standards acquired at the academy.
Oluyede, who reflected on his experience at the academy about 34 years ago, reminded the soon-to-be commissioned officers that the Armed Forces of Nigeria represented the unity and sovereignty of the nation.
“Nigeria comes first and always,” he said, urging the cadets to demonstrate courage, diligence, resilience and loyalty to the fatherland.
He said many of the officers would soon be deployed to operational theatres across the country, stressing the need for them to remain committed to their constitutional responsibilities.
The CDS also urged the cadets to remain adaptable and technologically savvy, noting that modern warfare was evolving rapidly.
He identified Artificial Intelligence (AI), unmanned systems and cyber operations as emerging capabilities shaping the contemporary security environment.
According to him, innovation, critical thinking and the ability to think outside the box would be essential to their effectiveness as future military leaders.
Oluyede further emphasised the importance of trust, integrity, dedication, mental agility and sound judgment in military leadership.
He advised the cadets to seek guidance from experienced officers, carefully consider their decisions and ensure that their actions reflected the shared values of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The CDS said their decisions would not only shape their careers but could also have consequences for the organisation they represented and the personnel under their command.
He commended the Commandant, staff and instructors of the NDA for their efforts in preparing the cadets for the responsibilities ahead.
Oluyede also congratulated the cadets for reaching the threshold of commissioning, urging them to remain committed to continuous learning and professional development throughout their careers.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Defence, Minister of State for Defence and the NDA Council for their support to the Armed Forces and the academy.
The CDS urged the cadets to embrace the future with confidence, ingenuity and technological awareness, assuring them that their training at the NDA had prepared them for the demanding responsibilities ahead.
Highlights of the event included the presentation of awards to deserving cadets for the 2025/2026 training session and the presentation of souvenirs to the Special Guest of Honour by the Commandant of the academy.(NAN)
