President Bola Tinubu has expressed his administration’s commitment to complete the permanent site of the National Defense College (NDC) to enable the institution deliver strategic training for Nigeria and allied nations.
Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima gave the assurance on Friday at the graduation of 99 participants of Course 33, held at the college in Abuja.
The President also promised to implement recommendations made by the graduands, adding that “strengthening indigenous manufacturing is indispensable to our nation’s security and development.”
The President said that when fully equipped, the College could, and should evolve into a Defence Postgraduate University.
Tinubu disclosed that he has directed the Commandant of the College to work closely with the Minister of Defence to develop a clear strategy to upgrade the facilities.
“I assure you that this administration is committed to completing the permanent site to ensure that the College continues to deliver strategic training not only for Nigeria but also for allied nations,” Tinubu said.
The President urged the graduands to be worthy ambassadors of the college, uphold its motto, which speaks of Excellence, Courage, Patriotism, and Integrity.
“To our friends from other nations, I encourage you to sustain the friendships you have built in Nigeria, and to let them grow into bridges of cooperation and solidarity between your nations and ours, ” he said.
The Nigerian leader noted that the college represents the finest expression of the country’s commitment to building human capital in areas critical to national survival.
Tinubu commended the college Commandant, the Management Team, and the Faculty for their dedication to grooming “this distinguished set of strategic leaders for our Armed Forces, for Ministries, Departments and Agencies.”
To the graduands, the President said, “I have directed that relevant stakeholders study your recommendations and harvest the strategies you proposed, because strengthening indigenous manufacturing is indispensable to our nation’s security and development.”
Earlier, the Commandant of the College, Rear Adm. James Okosun said the participants had been equipped with requisite knowledge and skills to address complex security and developmental challenges.
Okosun further explained that the higher management of defence module featured national crisis simulations and critical reviews of current defence and security policies.
“This year’s exercise examined issues such as banditry in the North-West, separatist agitation in the South-East and oil theft in the Niger Delta.
“The participants were also trained in public speaking, strategic assessments, and policy implementation.
“We are confident that they are well prepared to offer implementable solutions to national, regional and global challenges,” the Commandant said.
