By Eseoghene Emuke
The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) says a total of 630 officer cadets will take part in the combined passing out parade of the academy slated for October 5, 2019, at its Parade Ground in Afaka, Kaduna State.
It said President Muhammadu Buhari will be personally been attending this year’s combined passing out parade of 66rc (Army) and 67rc (Navy and Airforce) and short service course 45 (army.
The Commandant of NDA, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade said of the 630 officer cadets, 179 cadets of 66RC and 272 members of Short Service Course 45 would be commissioned into the Nigerian Army by President Buhari at the ceremony.
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Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday ahead of the event, Major Gen. Oyebade told journalists that members of 67 Regular Course Navy and Airforce comprising of 89 naval cadets and 90 airforce cadets will participate in the graduation ceremony.
He added that members of 67 Regular Course Navy and Airforce will thereafter proceed to their respective services for further training before commissioned into the military.
Oyebade, represented by Air Vice Marshal Ismaila Sadiq Kaita at the briefing, said the event is slated for Saturday October 5, 2019 at 8.00am prompted.
According to him, extra security measure would be put in place around the NDA Parade Ground in Afaka and its neigbouring communities during the event to ensure safety of lives and property.
The commandant said, “As you may recall, last year the President, Commander–in–Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, was represented at the Passing Out Parade ceremonies for 65RC (Army) and 66 Regular Course (Navy/Air Force) by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo GCON.
“I am glad to announce that the Commander-in Chief President Muhammadu Buhari will be physically present to grace this year’s events. Anytime we have Passing out parade events, extra security measures are usually employed around the Academy and neighboring communities. We therefore elicit your cooperation to ensure a hitch free event.”
Oyebade added that as part of activities heralding the ceremony, the Academy Medical team would be conducting free medical outreach for residents of Dankande Community located on Kaduna-Zaria way on Thursday 19, September.
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“This event will see the Academy providing free medical services and drugs to members of the Dankande Community. A Golf Kitty will hold on Saturday 21 September 2019 at the recently upgraded and remodeled NDA Golf Course at 7.00 am.
“Thereafter, on Tuesday, 24 September, the Academy will hold a Prize Giving and Beating of the Retreat Ceremony at the NDA Parade Ground, Afaka by 3.00 pm. This event typifies the official close of training activities for the year and provide a platform to reward cadets who have distinguished themselves throughout the training year.
“On 27 September, there would be Friday prayers in honour of the Passing Out Parade ceremony by the Muslim Ummah at the NDA Central Mosque, Afaka by 2.00pm. While on Sunday, 29 September, Christian Faithful will converge at The Saviour’s Chapel Afaka for a Christian Interdenominational Church Service.
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“These are the maiden prayer sessions to be held at the newly constructed NDA worship centres in Afaka. Hence, we urge members of the public to also commit the cadets in their prayers during various prayers and services across the country”, he added.
Other activities he said will be heralding the event include, a convocation Lecture for 67 Regular Course cadets and Post Graduate students on Wednesday, 2 October 2019 at Professor Mahmud Yakubu Hall at Afaka Campus.
Oyebade said the convocation lecture will be delivered by the Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND, Professor Elias Suleiman Bogoro.
While, urging members of the public to pray for the cadets and success of the ceremony, he said only invited guests with valid invitation cards will be allowed into the parade ground to witness the ceremony.
