By; IBRAHIM ADAMU, Kaduna
The Minister of Defence , Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi ( RTD ) has urged service chiefs to sustain the joint training of all Short Service Courses across the three services to address the issue of inter-service rivalry.
Magashi who was the reviewing officer at Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) combined Passing Out Parade ( POP) and Presidential commissioning of 337 specialist officers into the Nigerian Armed Forces , stressed the need for a sustainable synergy amongst all branches of the military in the face of battle against insurgency and other forms of insecurity across the country .
The commissioned officers trained at the NDA, were of the Army Direct Short Service Course 26 and Direct Regular Course 30 of the Nigerian Airforce.
The specialist officers who included engineers, nurses, lawyers, among others, comprised 200 of the Nigerian Army and 137 of the Nigerian Airforce.
Magashi, who was the reviewing Officer of the POP, noted that the successes against adversaries being recorded by the Armed Forces could be attributed in the part of enhanced synergy among the services.
He said that through the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Armed Forces had been repositioned to better face contemporary security challenges.
He said it was achieved through thoughtful acquisition of requisite equipment and platforms which had improved the capabilities of the Armed Forces and greatly enhanced the morale and fighting spirit of troops.
To the officers, Magashi said the responsibility of leading and inspiring the soldiers and airmen/women of their respective services would be bestowed on them and which would require tough decision making in the face of the adversaries.
“In all circumstances, you must not do anything that is illegal, immoral or unethical, you must always believe in your abilities as you discharge your constitutional duty to our dear country Nigeria,”he said.
The Minister tasked the officers on the need to apply their knowledge and skills in various fields of specialisations to support the combat forces in achieving their assigned missions.
“You will need to learn fast and adapt quickly to the ever-changing operational environment,”he said.
He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, for his commitment towards improving national security and ensuring sustainable development in Nigeria.
The Minister therefore urged Nigerians to continue to support the Armed Forces in their collective efforts to rid the nation of all forms of insecurity from home and abroad.
He commended the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for intensifying the tempo of operations in the various theatres of operations which according to him resulted in significant operational gains witnessed in the country in recent times.
He also commended the Commandant, staff and instructors of the NDA for working selflessly in training and preparing the cadets for commissioning into the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force.