Be conscious of prevailing security situation, civic responsibilities- Rtd Maj.-Gen. Ngubane urges Army cadets

Retired Maj.-Gen. Lawrence Ngubane, has urged Army Cadets of the Short Service Course 47 on being conscious of the prevailing security situation in the country and their civic and military responsibilities.

Ngubane made the urge while speaking as a special guest at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) awards and beating of the retreat in honour of the cadets on Wednesday in Kaduna.

Our correspondent reports that the ‘Beating of the Retreat’ is an age-long military tradition which dates back to several centuries whereby the sounding of the retreat is used to recall nearby patrolling, fighting units to their camps at sunset.

In the NDA, the award ceremony and beating of the retreat is a regimental event which forms part of a series of activities marking the end of a successful training year.

He urged them to be good ambassadors of the institution through exhibiting high level of discipline, loyalty and subordination to civil authority and emplacement of national interests above personal interests.

“I urge all of you to remain focused, dedicated and committed to your duties and responsibilities upon successful graduation.”

“You should never be complacent at any point in your career. The future is bright but the level of brightness will depend on your character and your individual efforts,” Ngubane said.

He commended the team of instructors and staff of the NDA for their efforts in grooming the cadets.

Earlier, the Commandant of NDA, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Yusuf, said the Beating of the Retreat signified the end of a training period for cadets, while the award is an opportunity to reward hard work by individual cadets who excelled in military training and sporting activities.

He said the Short Service Cadets commenced training on 4th of April 2021, noting that the training period was initially scheduled for nine months but was extended by two months to equip them with special skills required to deal with hybrid of threats within the operational environment.

Yusuf disclosed, however, withstanding the rigours of the military training and character development of the Army Short Service Cadets of Course 47, they would be commissioned into the Nigerian Army on 26 Feb., 2022.

He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff, and staff of the NDA for their unflinching support and hard work throughout the duration of the cadets’ training.

It was reported that the cadets to be graduated are 295 in number, including two from Republic of Liberia who would be commissioned into the Armed Forces of Liberia.

It was also reported that the event featured match past display, aerobics, bonfire ceremony, live band, among others.