President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday in Kaduna called on the Nigerian military, particularly the graduating 52 Regular Cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), to live up to their constitutional roles of ensuring peace and security of the nation.
President Jonathan, who spoke at the 2012 NDA Passing Out Parade (POP) in Kaduna, reminded the? cadets that they had important roles to play in the administration’s transformation agenda.
Jonathan further called on them to strictly adhere to the rule of law and the constitution by defending the nation’s territorial borders and assisting other sister security agencies in ensuring law and order.
Represented by Vice President, Namadi Sambo, Jonathan commended the leadership of the NDA for producing another set of well-trained Cadet Officers for their primary role in nation building.
He said effective military was part of the Nation’s 20:2020 agenda of becoming one of the 20 largest world economies.
The President also commended the Nigerian Military for their efforts in ensuring internal security, through various collaborations with other security agencies, and implored them not to relent in contributing to regional peacekeeping missions.
He said the present administration was determined to build a strong and well-motivated Armed Forces the nation deserve.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NDA honoured Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth; Liberia’s President, Helen Johnson Sirleaf; and the President of the Senate, David Mark, during the convocation.
NAN further reports that 262 Cadets of the NDA 59 Regular Course, comprising cadets from the Army, Navy, Air Force and two cadets each from Liberia and Togo, graduated.
The President presented Medals to the best Army, Air Force, Navy cadets and? Short Service Course, as well as the Best Foreign cadets.
The NDA also awarded certificates to uniformed officers and civilians who underwent various postgraduate programmes at the convocation, which formed part of the passing out parade.
Gov. Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State; the Minister of State Defence, Mrs Olushola Obada; Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Olusheyi Petinrin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ehijirika; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Muhammed Dikko Umar, attended the ceremony. (NAN)