Authorities of the Nigerian Defence Academy on Monday disclosed that a total of 365 officer-cadets who have completed the mandatory military and academic training in the premier military university, are expected to Pass-Out from the Academy by October this year.
They include 2 allied cadets from Republics of Benin and Togo.
A breakdown shows that out of 365 officers, 131 cadets of 65 Regular Course will be commissioned into the Nigerian Army, while members of 66RC of Navy and Airforce will proceed to their respective Services for further training before commissioning.
Commandant of the NDA, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade who made the disclosure at a news briefing in Kaduna, noted that the passing out parade of 65 regular course is slated to hold on 6 October 2018 at the Nigerian Defence Academy Parade Ground at Afaka Campus.
He said, “As you may recall, last year the President Muhammadu Buhari was suitably represented at the POP ceremonies for 64RC (Army), 65RC (Navy/Air Force) and SSC 44 (Army) by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. This year, the President Commander-in Chief of the Armed forces President Muhammadu Buhari will be at hand to grace this year’s events.
“Traditionally, the passing out parade at the Academy is preceded by a number of key activities.
“This year’s is not any different. Kicking off the POP activities this year is a Medical Outreach by the Nigerian Defence Academy to the Afaka Community on Thursday, the 13 September. This event will see the Academy providing free medical services and drugs to members of the Afaka Community.
“Shortly following the medical outreach, on Saturday, 15 September, there would be the Commandant’s Luncheon for graduating cadets and guests at the Academy House, by 1400Hrs prompt where retired NDA senior and junior civilian staff would be honoured.
“Thereafter, on Tuesday, 18 September, the Academy will hold a Prize Giving and Beating of the Retreat ceremony at the NDA Parade Ground, Afaka Campus by 1430Hrs.
“This event typifies the official close of training activities for the year and rewards cadets and instructors who have distinguished themselves throughout the training year.
“After the Beating of Retreat, on Friday 21 September, Muslim Ummah will gather at the NDA Central Mosque, Ribadu Cantonment for Jummat prayers ahead of the POP by 1400Hrs. And on Sunday, 23 September, by 1000Hrs, Christian Faithful will converge at The Saviour’s Chapel, Ribadu Cantonment for a Christian Interdenominational Church Service.
“Thereupon, the Academy will host a Convocation Lecture for 66 Regular Course cadets on Wednesday, 26 September by 0900Hrs. the lecture, which is billed to hold at the Academy Auditorium, Afaka, will have as Guest Speaker, Professor UG Danbata, the Executive Vice Chairman, Chief Executive of Nigerian Communication Commission.
The POP activities will continue on Thursday, the 4 of October, with the Convocation Ceremony for cadets of 66RC and Postgraduate students at the Academy Auditorium by 1000Hrs.
Honourary degrees would be confer on 3 eminent Nigerians, Alhaji Mohammed Indimi, Businessman and philanthropist. Others are Dr GA Adesina, President African Development Bank and Lt Gen CI Obiako, former Military Adviser to United Nations.
Special Guest of Honour at this event will be the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.
Finally, the POP activities will come to a close on Saturday, 6 October, 2018 with the Passing Out Parade for cadets of 65RC (Army) and 66RC (Navy/Air Force) at the NDA Parade Ground, Afaka by 0730Hrs.
The parade would be reviewed by Mr. President Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari.
This will immediately be followed by the Commissioning/Piping ceremonies for members of 65RC at the Academy Auditorium by 1345Hrs.
These two events will bring to a close the entire POP activities for the year 2018, and ultimately, 4/5 years of training for 324 cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy that are slated to graduate on that day.
Throwing more insight on activities of NAD, Major General Oyebade said, “The Academy trains young Nigerians and those of allied countries in both military and academics, endowing them at the end of a 5 – year training stint at the Academy with a degree from any of the 4 Faculties currently operational at the Academy; and commissioning into the Nigerian Armed Forces or those of Allied Countries.
“So far, the Nigerian Defence Academy has trained over 20,000 officers since inception, a small fraction of whom are from Allied Countries like Benin Republic, The Gambia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Togo and a host of others” he stated.
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