President Bola Tinubu has charged newly commissioned officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces to uphold the Constitution, protect citizens and safeguard the country’s economic and territorial interests.
Tinubu delivered the message through Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas at the combined passing-out parade of cadets at the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna.
The ceremony featured cadets from the 73 Regular Course, Short Service Course 49, Direct Short Service Course 34 and Branch Commission Course 3.
The President praised the NDA leadership for combining military training, academic education and character development.
He said the Academy had strengthened counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency training while expanding the use of technology, simulation and research.
Tinubu also highlighted the NDA’s partnerships with military institutions in the United Kingdom, United States, Brazil and France.
He said the Academy continued to train cadets from several African countries and remained an important regional centre for military education.
The President pointed to innovations developed by the NDA’s Centre for Innovation and Creativity, including precision-guided munitions, remotely operated weapon systems and multipurpose mobile robots.
On national security, Tinubu said military action alone could not resolve insecurity and identified poverty, unemployment, poor education and social breakdown among the underlying drivers of conflict.
He said the government was therefore combining security operations with economic reforms, job creation, human-capital development and social protection.
Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for democracy and regional stability and said the country remained opposed to unconstitutional changes of government.
He nevertheless said Nigeria would continue engaging neighbors including Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.
Addressing the graduating cadets, the President urged them to remain disciplined, professional and committed to selfless service.
“Your duty is to uphold the Constitution, safeguard our economy and protect our people,” he said.
