Nigerian Defence Academy Helps Officers Discover Their True Selves, Says Ex-NSA – THISDAYLIVE

Linus Aleke in Abuja 

Former National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd), has mentioned the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) offers an setting for army officers to find their true selves, perceive their strengths and weaknesses and develop the management qualities required to serve the nation.

He mentioned the establishment is pivotal in shaping the character, self-discipline {and professional} outlook of officers, including that the rigorous army coaching and educational publicity offered by the establishment play a major position in reworking cadets into disciplined, accountable and patriotic officers dedicated to nationwide service.

He additionally famous that there was a outstanding shift in pondering amongst up to date army officers in Nigeria, saying: “We are becoming more and more alive to the realities of today and the demands of the contemporary security atmosphere, which imposes on us the need for self-preservation.”

Speaking on the official unveiling of a e book titled ‘Rumbles in the New Academy,’ authored by Sub-Lieutenant Olufemi Akinwunmi, the erstwhile NSA mentioned: “These are the type of tales that we have to inform folks as a result of even we ourselves have no idea ourselves on the level of shifting into the Nigerian Defence Academy.

“As quickly as you cross that gate and you’re adopted into a brand new firm or battalion, as is the case now, you drop your outdated self and you start to find your new self. And on the day of commissioning, all you’re left with is a brand new individual with a brand new set of values which you’ll keep it up for the remainder of your life.

“For us, the good thing here is that we forge friendships, relationships, very, very enduring, genuine friendships, fraternal relationships which do not expire. And this is one of the things that we have taken away from our training in the Nigerian Defence Academy. But more conspicuously is the change in attitude from boyhood to manhood. And now, of course, from girlhood to womanhood.”

The particular visitor of honour added: “In essence, there’s an evolution, there’s a seismic shift in the thinking of the contemporary military officer from what we used to know several decades ago. We are becoming more and more alive to the realities of today and the demands of the contemporary security atmosphere, which imposes on us the need for self-preservation.”

The chairman of the event and former Commandant of the NDA, Major General Chukwuemeka Onwuamaegbu (rtd), mentioned the e book is a must-read for all literate Nigerians.

Onwuamaegbu, who harassed the necessity to distribute the e book to different army coaching establishments throughout the globe, mentioned: “For those who did not experience it, and those who did but may have forgotten, I would strongly encourage you to pick up this book to remember what you went through. For those who never experienced it, the book offers an opportunity to understand what officers of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Police go through before earning the ranks they wear on their shoulders.”

A former Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd), mentioned the Nigerian Defence Academy is greater than an establishment for army coaching; it’s an alma mater that shapes character, builds management, instils self-discipline and creates lasting bonds.

He mentioned: “You may graduate from your alma mater, but your alma mater never graduates from you. The values, experiences and memories acquired here remain with us throughout our lives.”

He acknowledged that what we fail to doc right this moment could also be misplaced to generations but unborn, including: “As we celebrate this book, let us remember that ‘we inherit our institutions from the past, shape them through our contributions today and preserve them for generations yet unborn’.”

The creator, Sub-Lieutenant Akinwunmi, mentioned he wrote the e book to protect the institutional reminiscence of the NDA.