By Mohammad Tijjani
The Chief of Training (Navy), Rear Adm. Abdulrasheed Haruna, has charged passing-out cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) to uphold democratic values and safeguard Nigeria’s national interests.
Haruna gave the charge at the Beating of the Retreat and Prize-Giving Ceremony for the 2025/2026 training session at the RSM Oliver Nzalgana Parade Ground, Afaka in Kaduna.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Academy’s Public Relations Officer, Maj. Irabo Njoka, on Friday in Kaduna.
He urged the cadets to remain vigilant, disciplined and committed to their professional responsibilities as they prepare for commissioning into the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The Chief of Training commended the NDA for its sustained commitment to excellence and its role in producing highly trained officers capable of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Haruna urged the cadets to contribute meaningfully to addressing evolving security challenges in Nigeria and allied nations, stressing that their future responsibilities would require discipline, vigilance and unwavering commitment to duty.
He also reminded the cadets of the importance of remaining faithful to the constitutional and democratic values they were expected to uphold as military professionals.
Haruna described the Beating of the Retreat as an age-long military tradition that celebrates the resilience, discipline and achievements of military personnel.
He encouraged battalions that did not win trophies during the training year to draw inspiration from the achievements of their colleagues and use the experience as motivation for greater accomplishments in future competitions.
In his remarks, the Commandant of the NDA, Maj.-Gen. Oluyemi Olatoye, reaffirmed the Academy’s commitment to producing officers who were physically fit, mentally sound and morally upright.
Olatoye said the ceremony provided an opportunity to reflect on military traditions while celebrating achievements recorded during the 2025/2026 training year.
He urged the graduating cadets to uphold the values acquired at the Academy and allow them to guide their character, discipline and professional conduct throughout their military careers.
Mogadishu Battalion emerged Champion Battalion after securing five trophies in various competitions during the 2025/2026 training cycle.
Collito Company emerged Champion Company in the competitions of Ashanti Battalion.
Individual cadets were also honoured for outstanding performances in drills, sports, judo, taekwondo and other military activities.
The ceremony was attended by senior military commanders, heads of security agencies, officers, senior civilian staff of the Academy, members of the Nigerian Defence Academy Officers’ Wives Association, soldiers, families and other invited guests.
The event featured a combat march demonstration by selected cadets and a performance of the traditional Beating of the Retreat by the combined band.
(NAN)(NAN)