A total of 630 Officer Cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy comprising Cadets of 66 Regular Course, Army, 67 Regular Course Navy and Air Force as well as Short Service Course 45 Army are to pass of the academy after concluding their training on October 5, 2019 in Kaduna.
Commandant of NDA, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade who made the disclosure while announcing the programme of events for the combined Passing Out Parade scheduled for NDA Parade Ground at Afaka, said members of 67 Regular Course Navy and Air force comprise 89 naval cadets and 90 air force cadets will proceed to their respective Services for further training before commissioning.
He said 179 cadets of 66RC and 272 members of Short Service Course 45 will be commissioned into the Nigerian Army.
Represented by the Deputy Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Ismaila Sadiq Kaita at the briefing, Oyebade said, “In the same vein, members of 67 Regular Course Navy and Air force comprising of 89 naval cadets and 90 air force cadets will proceed to their respective Services for further training before commissioning”.
He said, “As you may recall, last year the President, Commander – in – Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari was represented at the Passing Out Parade ceremonies for 65RC (Army) and 66 Regular Course (Navy/Air Force) by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.
“I am glad to announce that the Commander-in Chief President Muhammadu Buhari will be physically present to grace this year’s events.
“Anytime we have Passing out parade events, extra security measures are usually employed around the Academy and neighboring communities. We therefore elicit your cooperation to ensure a hitch free event.
“Traditionally, the Passing Out Parade at the Academy is preceded by a number of key activities.
“In this regard, the activities for this year’s Passing Out Parade commenced on 14 September with the Commandant hosting the passing out Cadets for a lunch at the Academy House.
“Subsequently, the Academy Medical team will conduct medical Outreach for the Dankande Community located on Kaduna-Zaria way on Thursday 19 September.
“This event will see the Academy providing free medical services and drugs to members of the Dankande Community.
“A Golf Kitty will hold on Saturday 21 September 2019 at the recently upgraded and remodeled NDA Golf Course at 7.00 am.
“Thereafter, on Tuesday, 24 September, the Academy will hold a Prize Giving and Beating of the Retreat Ceremony at the NDA Parade Ground, Afaka by 3.00 pm.
“This event typifies the official close of training activities for the year and provide a platform to reward cadets who have distinguished themselves throughout the training year.
“On 27 September, there would be Friday prayers in honour of the Passing Out Parade ceremony by the Muslim Ummah at the NDA Central Mosque, Afaka by 2.00pm.
“While on Sunday, 29 September, Christian Faithful will converge at ‘The Saviour’s Chapel’ Afaka for a Christian Interdenominational Church Service.
“These are the maiden prayer sessions to be held at the newly constructed NDA worship centers in Afaka.
“The Academy will host a Convocation Lecture for 67 Regular Course cadets and Post Graduate students on Wednesday, 2 October 2019 by 9.00am at Professor Mahmud Yakubu Hall here at Afaka Campus.
“The lecture will be delivered by Professor Elias Suleiman Bogoro, the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).
“The POP activities will continue on Thursday, 3 October 2019, with the Convocation Ceremony for Cadets of 67 Regular Course and Postgraduate students at the Academy Auditorium by 10.00am.
“The event will be graced by the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo who will be the Special Guest of Honour.
“During the event Honourary Degree will be awarded to some distinguished Nigerians.
“On the evening of 4 October 2019, a documentary on cadets training activities in NDA will be on air on the Nigeria Television Authority Network.
“Finally, the grande finale will be on Saturday 5 October, 2019 with the Passing Out Parade for Cadets of 66 Regular Course and Short Service(Army) and 67 RC (Navy/Air Force) at the NDA Parade Ground, Afaka by 8.00am.
“This will immediately be followed by the Commissioning/Piping ceremonies for Army Cadets of 66 Regular Course and Short Service Course 45 at the Academy Auditorium by 1.45pm.
“These 2 events will bring to a close the entire combined Passing out Parade activities for the year 2019, and ultimately, the cadet training for 630 cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy that are slated to graduate on that day.
“Members of the public are reminded that entry into NDA premises on that day is strictly by valid invitation card.”
END.
