President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stated that his administration is committed to building a secure, stable, and prosperous Nigeria. He made this statement at the passing-out ceremony for cadets of the 73rd Regular Course at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Abuja. Tinubu identified poverty, unemployment, poor education, and social disintegration as notable drivers of conflicts in the country.
According to Tinubu, addressing the underlying causes of insecurity is a crucial component of the government's non-kinetic strategy. The President, represented by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, emphasized that job creation, macroeconomic stability, human capital development, and social protection are being pursued alongside security operations. He assured that the government would continue to strengthen measures aimed at addressing socioeconomic conditions that could contribute to conflict and insecurity.
Tinubu highlighted that his administration is enhancing Nigeria's regional and global collaborations and cooperations due to the transnational nature of threats. He stated that Nigeria will continue to provide leadership and assistance to fellow countries in West Africa. The President also emphasized Nigeria's commitment to democracy and stability in the region and globally, noting that the country will pursue inclusive diplomacy, security cooperation, and economic integration.
The President commended the NDA for living up to the expectations of its founding fathers and the nation since its establishment in 1964. He noted that the institution has evolved to address nascent security challenges by developing a training curriculum that blends military training and academics with a focus on character development. Tinubu also acknowledged that some NDA cadets are undergoing military training in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Brazil, and France.
Tinubu revealed that the NDA is increasingly receiving international recognition through invitations extended to its cadets to participate in highly competitive military cadet competitions globally. He attributed this to the remarkable improvements in the Academy's training standards, professionalism, and global standing. The President added that the Academy serves as a regional hub for military education, training cadets from several African countries.
The President urged the newly commissioned officers to uphold professionalism, discipline, and loyalty in the discharge of their responsibilities. He emphasized that kinetic military operations alone cannot defeat insecurity and that a comprehensive approach is needed to address the root causes of conflicts. Tinubu expressed confidence that with the military's support for democratic governance, Nigeria's continental and regional leadership role will continue to be upheld and intensified.
The NDA has been producing officers capable of competing and excelling alongside the best military institutions in the world, according to Tinubu. The President's speech was a testament to the government's commitment to building a stable and secured nation.
Key points
- President Tinubu's administration is committed to building a secure, stable, and prosperous Nigeria.
- The government is pursuing job creation, macroeconomic stability, human capital development, and social protection alongside security operations.
- The NDA is increasingly receiving international recognition for its training standards and professionalism.
