The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Wase, has urged newly graduating cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) to remain committed to the Constitution and uphold the highest standards of professionalism in service.
He gave the charge during the Commandant’s Luncheon in honour of cadets of the 72 Regular Course, Short Service Course 48 (Army), Direct Short Service Course 33 (Air Force), and Branch Commission 2 (Air Force) held on Saturday in Kaduna.
Maj.-Gen. Wase stressed that every officer must align their actions with constitutional provisions and avoid conduct that could undermine the reputation of the Armed Forces. He further called on the cadets to serve with humility, respect their superiors, and inspire confidence among their subordinates.
Expressing appreciation to the NDA leadership under Commandant Maj.-Gen. Abdul Ibrahim, he noted that the presence of distinguished personalities at the event offered young officers an invaluable opportunity to learn from their experiences.
“I hope the cadets will take advantage of this golden opportunity, not just to share a meal but to draw lessons and insights that will positively influence their approach to duty and life in general,” he said.
The GOC congratulated the cadets on successfully completing their training, commending their hard work, resilience, and dedication. He reminded them that the Presidential Commission ceremony was the true mark of their transition, urging them to remain focused and disciplined until then.
He also advised the officers to pursue continuous learning, attend mandatory courses, and prepare for life after active service by cultivating financial discipline, investing wisely, and developing lifelong skills.
While extending his best wishes to the graduates, Wase gave special recognition to the international cadet from the Republic of Congo, encouraging the promotion of stronger bonds and cooperation among nations.
Earlier, NDA Commandant Maj.-Gen. Abdul Ibrahim explained that the luncheon was part of activities leading up to the Passing Out Parade, designed to shape the social and moral values of the graduates.
He highlighted the Academy’s mandate to train officers of character and discipline, committed to duty and honour. Since its establishment in 1964, the NDA has produced over 20,000 officers, including cadets from allied countries such as Liberia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Benin Republic, and Togo.
The Commandant urged the cadets to remain loyal to their profession, uphold discipline, and comply with military regulations, stressing that these values are key to a successful military career.