ECONOMY ON THE BRINK: TINUBU CHARGES NDA GRADUANDS TO CRUSH INSURGENCY, DEFEND NIGERIA’S FUTURE

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged Nigeria’s newly commissioned military officers to safeguard the nation’s economic lifeline from the crippling grip of insurgency, terrorism, and banditry. He warned that failure to neutralize these threats could spell dire consequences for the stability and growth of Africa’s largest economy.

Speaking on Saturday at the combined passing-out parade of the 72 Regular Course, Short Service Course, and Branch Commission Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, President Tinubu—represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio—tasked the cadets to see their commissioning as a sacred duty to preserve Nigeria’s sovereignty, economy, and future.

“The goal of insurgents and terrorists is to frustrate our developmental reforms and create counter-states,” Tinubu declared. “Yours is to safeguard the economy and core values of the nation, to prevent the collapse of our economy and revitalize the Armed Forces, despite the enemies’ indiscriminate violence and baseless propaganda.”

In a statement by Jackson Udom, Special Assistant on Media to the Senate President, Tinubu was quoted as urging the military never to lose sight of the vision of Nigeria’s founding fathers, even in the face of daunting security challenges.

The President commended the NDA for embracing cutting-edge technologies in military training and research, describing the institution’s revamped curricula and methodologies as a bold step in aligning with modern operational demands. He applauded the cadets for their perseverance, discipline, and courage, reminding them that their commissioning comes at a time Nigeria desperately needs their service.

“There is no better time than now to prove your valour and demonstrate the virtues upon which the NDA was founded,” he said, charging the officers to become the frontline defenders of Nigeria’s sovereignty and prosperity.

A total of 472 cadets were commissioned into the three arms of the Armed Forces: 218 into the Army, 135 into the Navy, and 119 into the Air Force, alongside Short Service Cadets. Six cadets received special honours for outstanding performance in academics, military training, and extracurricular excellence.

The passing-out parade, marked with military pomp and pageantry, symbolized not just a transition for the young officers but a call to arms in the battle to secure Nigeria’s economy and safeguard its future from collapsing under the weight of insecurity.