Revealed: NDA Research Interventions record 85 successful research break through; As 319 Cadets graduate with bachelor’s degrees.

Following the endowment of an annual institutional research intervention to the tune of #20million by the Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy to promote research and innovation, the institution has recorded 85 successful research engagements that are currently ongoing or concluded.

This feat was made known by Major General Adeniyi Oyebade, Commandant NDA at 30th convocation ceremony for cadets of 67 regular course and post graduate students on Thursday 3rd October 2019 at the ultramodern auditorium of the institution.

He said, “Notable inventions by various departments in the Academy include the Radio Frequency identification for armory management, wireless healthcare monitoring sensor, swift satellite tracker unit and an obstacle avoidance unmanned solar powered vehicle surveillance system among others”.

Continuing the Commandant said, ” As a means of showcasing the depth and diversity of research engagements in the Academy, the Professional Inaugural lecture series was resuscitated and for the first time in the history of the academy, 7 out of 10 professional inaugural lectures had been delivered within an academic year.

“This will boost the quality and vibrancy of academic engagement in the academy.

” As at today, all NDA academic programmes enjoy full accreditation status just as all new programmes have undergone successful resource verification. In addition, the academy has receive approval and commenced a new undergraduate course in logistics and supply chain management.

“During the year, NDA signed 5 major MoUs with various organizations such as National Fire Service, the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, then an expansion of the MoU with Energy Commission of Nigeria and the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi”.

“Furthermore, National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) is to collaboratively run programmes in Master and PGD in Water Resources management.

Giving details of the graduands, Major General Oyebade said, ” A total of 319 cadets are graduating with bachelor’s degrees with a breakdown of 4 first class, 90 second class upper, 217 second class lower and 8 third class.

“Let me add that 6 of our cadets with outstanding performances were offered course vacancies in foreign military academies to complete their training under bilateral defence cooperation initiatives between Nigeria and some friendly nations.

” In the same vein,1,297 students will graduate with postgraduate diplomas and higher degrees in various disciplines of Arts, Social Sciences, Engineering and Sciences.

“It is noteworthy that 194 of the Masters graduands are of Senior Course 41 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji while 19 are members of Course 25 of National Defence College, Abuja.

” There are 29 graduands graduating for the first time from our Master in Energy Security Management, a Course borne out of MoU with the Energy Commission of Nigeria.”

Two retired senior officers, Air Marshal All Amin Dagash, one time Chief of Defence Staff as well as former NDA Commandant and Lt. General Joseph Owonibi, one time GOC 3rd armoured division, Jo’s and Force Commander, United Nations Mission in Liberia 2003-2005, were awarded Honorary Doctorate Degrees in Military Sciences.

Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi represented President Muhammadu Buhari who was the Special Guest of Honour at the convocation ceremony.

His address reads, “I am pleased to be part of today’s convocation ceremony in honour of the graduating Officer Cadets of the 67 Regular Course and postgraduate students of this esteemed institution. Permit me to convey the warm greetings of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR on this important occasion. In the last 55 years, the Nigerian Defence Academy has consistently produced well trained officers for our Armed Forces. This crucial role has contributed immensely in the maintenance of our territorial integrity and the preservation of the unity of Nigeria as a corporate entity.

“Additionally, since its establishment in 1964 as a subaltern officer training institution, NDA has produced military officers for the Armed Forces of Nigeria and sister African countries who have excelled and distinguished themselves in various theatres of operation as well as peace keeping duties globally. With the commencement of the degree programmes in 1985, the Academy has planted the seed of intellectualism and innovative education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Since 2005 when postgraduate courses were introduced, the Postgraduate School has been growing steadily and making impact in the area of manpower production for our nation. It is therefore remarkable to note that this institution has over the years built for itself a reputation of discipline and academic integrity. I therefore congratulate the Commandant, staff and officer cadets of this great institution for the incredible job you are doing for our nation.

“I am aware that the Nigerian Defence Academy discharges the dual function of military and academic training in specialist subjects. It is therefore pleasing to note that both roles have been performed creditably. The Academy has progressively blossomed into a citadel of learning. Its world class Postgraduate School situated in the Ribadu Campus has enabled the Academy to package and deliver cutting-edge programmes in core subjects of defence, security, leadership, administration, engineering, science and technology. Little wonder that today, the Academy is graduating hundreds of postgraduate students alongside the officer cadets.

“The Federal Government is aware of the significance of education as a tool for progress and national development. It is in this regard that the present administration is giving priority to the provision of quality education at all the three tiers of our educational system. This is reflected in the allocation of Six Hundred and Twenty Billion Five Hundred Million Naira (N620.5 billion) only. Parts of these allocations will go into providing suitable environment for our universities to thrive and fulfill the triple mandate of research, teaching and community service. I am also happy to say that the Federal Government’s free school feeding programme has been a success. This has enhance enrolment and ease the burden on the parents. I should emphasize that the present administration is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that each and every child in Nigeria has unhindered access to quality education.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen it is also pleasing to note that the Academy has bought into the Federal Government’s vision of providing quality education in Nigeria by keeping a disciplined calendar and specialist curriculum packages that meet national standards and global best practices. It is gladdening to also note that all NDA courses have successfully received NUC accreditation in various programmes in the Faculties of Arts and Social Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Science and Faculty of Military Science and Interdisciplinary Studies. The establishment of the new Faculty of Management is a clear demonstration of a new direction NDA is charting in meeting the peculiar needs of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the Nation at large. The Services needs officers who are trained in state-of-the-art technology and adaptive capacity to face the challenges of national defence and security. Needless to say, military officers of today are faced with a different and cumbersome terrain of defence and warfare than their predecessors.

“I wish to pause a little to heartily congratulate the distinguished honorary degree awardees at today’s convocation for an honour well deserved. In the midst of the tumults of the times, you represent the shining light in a darkened world and worthy examples to humanity. I must therefore urge you to keep the flag flying in service to our nation.

“Now let me come to the graduating cadets of 67 Regular Course. You still have a year to go in your various services. While congratulating you on the successful completion of your degree programmes, I still need to let you know that your task as officer cadets is not complete until you are commissioned into the Nigerian Armed Forces. So your watchword should be: it is not over until it is over. Hence, you must be on your guard for the rest of your cadetship in your various Services.

“To the graduating postgraduate students, I equally congratulate you. You should consider yourselves very privileged to have been trained in NDA in the spirit of the Academy’s town-gown policy. Today the NDA Council is awarding you various degrees and diplomas in your chosen fields. You should therefore be good ambassadors of this institution and avoid any act that will tarnish your character and integrity.

“At this juncture, I wish to reiterate Government’s support for the continuous development of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s Permanent Site within the limits of available resources. I commend the Commandant, Major General A Oyebade for the unprecedented infrastructural development of the Academy, most especially in the development and enhancement of ICT through the procurement and installation of equipment in all the Faculties and Departments of the Academy.”

Present at the convocation were the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Abayomi Olonisakin, COAS, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, CNS, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas among many other dignitaries.

END