By Nkechi Eze
The National Defence College (NDC) has held a special Jumaat service in Abuja to honour participants of Course 33 who are set to graduate after successfully completing 44 weeks of intensive academic and strategic leadership training.
The event, which took place at the College Mosque, was attended by senior military officers, participants, family members and members of the college community. The Commandant of the NDC, Rear Admiral James Okosu, was represented by Air Vice Marshal Ayodele Hanidu, who delivered a message of commendation to the participants.
AVM Hanidu praised the resilience, discipline and commitment of the graduating officers, noting that the demanding training programme involved both physical and intellectual challenges. He explained that with an average participant age of 45, the training was designed to mould the officers into strategic leaders capable of serving Nigeria at the highest levels of command and policy formulation.
Highlighting the Islamic injunction on the pursuit of knowledge, Hanidu stated that graduates must apply the skills and insights gained during the course to better themselves, their communities, the nation and the wider global society.
“As military officers, we have a dual responsibility to continuously develop ourselves through knowledge, and to be ever ready to sacrifice our lives for our country. These 44 weeks have equipped you with advanced defence and strategic management skills, and the ability to harness resources effectively through what we call the strategic equation ends, ways, and means,” he said.
He charged them to remain good ambassadors of the NDC, placing the interests of the nation and the institution above personal considerations. He also expressed appreciation to the college community, the wives of participants, and the National Defence College Officers’ Wives Association for their unwavering support throughout the programme.
Speaking on behalf of the graduating participants, Colonel Umar Abbas expressed gratitude to the college leadership, faculty and staff for their mentorship and encouragement. He urged his colleagues to remain humble and to attribute their success to Allah, reminding them that both favourable and unfavourable outcomes are part of the divine decree.
He encouraged the graduates to leave the college with clean hearts, forgive past grievances and preserve the spirit of brotherhood that was built during their time in the course.
The Jumaat service is one of several events scheduled ahead of the official graduation of NDC Course 33, which is slated to take place next week. The course includes senior military officers, paramilitary personnel and civilian participants from Nigeria and allied countries, who have undergone advanced training in defence, security and strategic leadership.
