By; IBRAHIM ADAMU, Kaduna
Commandant Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Major General Ibrahim Yusuf has assured of preparedness and readiness of Nigerian Military to effectively conduct conventional and non-conventional warfare in its determination to fight insurgency and maintain territorial integrity of the country.
General Yusuf made the declaration on Friday in Kachia where battle inoculation was held as a culmination of combat military training for 342 cadets comprising Air force and Army Direct Short Service course 30 and 26 respectively .
He expressed satisfaction with the high quality of training impacted on the cadets, adding that the county’s investment in defence was yielding a positive result in areas of battle against insurgency and banditry in the North West and North East zones of Nigeria .
” As you are aware that the Direct Short Service cadre is designed for specialists such as ; doctors , nurses , engineers and the likes whose expertise the military needs in its discharge of responsibilities .
” The five and eight months training for army and air force respectively is similar to that of the regular combatants who have passed through the Academy,” he clarified.
The Guest of Honour at the Battle Inoculation Exercise, Air Vice Marshall Paul Jemitola commended the NDA Commandant for churning out well trained officers whom he noted would be very useful for the country, especially in her quest to fight insurgency and other forms of insecurity .
“What you have seen here today is the manifestation of the reviewed curriculum of the Academy as recommended by the defence headquarters to improve efficiency and Battle readiness of our combat troops in the face of challenging security situation of today .
“The need for improved tactical training aimed at stimulating real battle situation and other complex operational scenario that play out in real battle field cannot be overemphasized.
“Only resilient, strong and flexible individuals make better team members in an operational situation and other complex situations .
” I urge you to sustain and maintain the tempo of mastery of weapon handling, mental alertness, tactical stamina among other basic battle rudiments you have been made to undergo which I believe will help you in handling the challenges your future assigned tasks will bring .
” I am very proud of what I have seen here today which underscores the general preparedness of our armed forces.
“I must acknowledge the high standard and improved training of the NDA as reflected in these cadets who will be commissioned on 17 December to join their other compatriots in preserving the territorial integrity of our great nation,” he assured.
