779 NDA officer cadets for commissioning October 10

Seven hundred and seventy nine officer cadets in the Nigerian Defence Academy ( NDA) are expected to be commissioned into the Nigerian Armed Forces on October 10, 2020.

They comprise 287 cadets of the 67th Regular Course and 492 members of the Short Service Course 46.

Addressing newsmen on events lined for the passing out parade yesterday, the chairman, Central Organising Committee who is also the Deputy Commandant of the NDA, Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Ali, said the 287 Regular cadets were divided into the three arms of services including Nigerian Army, 127 cadets, Nigerian Navy, 85 cadets and Nigerian Air Force, 75 cadets.

“Traditionally, the passing out parade at the academy is preceded by a number of key activities. In this regard, on September 24, there will be a regimental dinner night in honour of the passing out cadets. On Wednesday, September 30, a prizegiving and beating of the retreat ceremony will hold at the parade ground, Afaka by 3.00 pm.

“This event typifies the official close of training activities for the year and provides a platform to reward cadets who have distinguished themselves throughout the training year. This event will subsequently be followed by the commandant’s luncheon at the Academy House for the passing out cadets on Saturday, October 3, 20. On October 2, there would be Friday prayers in honour of the cadets by the Muslim Ummah at the NDA Central Mosque, Afaka by 1.30pm, while on October 4, the Christian faithful will converge at the Saviour’s Chapel Afaka for a Christian interdenominational church service.

“These religious activities would afford the cadets and the entire academy community an avenue for thanksgiving and prayers. Hence, we urge members of the public to also commit the cadets in their prayers at various religious gatherings across the country,” he said.

He noted that the grand finale would be on October 10, 2020 with the passing out parade ceremony which will immediately be followed by the commissioning/piping ceremonies for cadets of the 67th Regular Course and Short Service Course 46 Army at the academy.

He reminded members of the public that entry into academy premises on the PoP day is strictly on valid invitation card. He then urged those without valid invitation to watch the live streaming of the parade on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) as well as on NDA official social media channels.