The Nigerian Defence Acedemy (NDA) on Thursday conferred a Doctorate Degree on the former Minster of Defence, Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi,(Rtd) CFR, mni.
NAIJAONPOINT reports that the 35th Convocation Ceremony of the NDA, Kaduna State, held at the Academy Auditorium has set a milestone record in her choice of the annual list of the prestigious Honourary Doctorates Degrees since inception in 1964.
According to press statement by Magashi’s media team, this followed the well deserved conferment of Honourary Doctorates Degree (Honoris Causa) on NDA 17th Commandant from July 1998 to June 1999 who was also the erstwhile Minister of Defence from 2019 to 2023 Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi,(Rtd) CFR, mni.
The colourful ceremony which was graced by the who-is-who in the Military, the academics, members of the Diplomatic Corps and declared open by the Chief of Defence Staff Gen CG. Musa, OFR, catalogued the abridged profile of the distinguished Military and political career’s journey of the retired Magashi, CFR who is honoured with the Conferment of Doctor of Military Science.
The award recipient who was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy, (NDA) in 1968 as a member of the 5th Regular Course and Commissioned as Second Lieutenant in 1971 also bagged a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and was called to the Bar in 1984.
General Magashi’s brilliant career trajectory within and outside the Military include Platoon Commander,, Commander 4 Guards Battalion, Commander 93 and 192 Mechanised Battalions, Deputy Military Secretary Army Headquarters and Commander 15 Brigade ECOMOG as well as member of the Provisional Ruling Council (PRC).
Magashi, who served as Military Governor of Sokoto State from August, 1990 to January,1992 and General Officer Commanding, GOC 2 Division Nigerian Army, is one of the most decorated Senior Officers as recipients of the Forces Service Star, FSS, Meritorious Service Star, MSS, Distinguished Service Star, DSS, ECOMOG and Silver Jubilee Medals.
Delivering his acceptance speech, the retired Kano born General said, “the honour is a clarion call to continue to contribute to the trajectory of the development of the Nation’s Military, the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA and National Development at large.”
“By this highly prestigious Honourary Doctorate Degree of Military Science conferred on an accomplished General, Politician and Elder Stateman, the retired General BS Magashi CFR, mni, has joined the esteemed Leagues of the past honourees including some Nigerian former Heads of State, Presidents of Countries and General’s whose names have been written in Gold for posterity in the annals of the Nigerian Defence Academy hall’s of fame,” the statement concluded.