Kaduna, Sept. 23, 2024 (TheGavel) – The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Mayirenso Saraso, has urged cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) to become dependable and effective military leaders. He emphasized that strong leadership would inspire troops to follow them, even in the most dangerous circumstances.
Saraso made the statement during the NDA Commandant’s Luncheon held on Sunday in Kaduna, in honor of cadets from the 71 Regular Course, Direct Short Service Course 28 (Army), and Direct Short Service Course 32 (Air Force) who are set to pass out.
While addressing the cadets, Saraso, who also serves as the Commander of Operations Whirl Punch, noted that the luncheon was not only a social event but also an opportunity for cadets to engage with senior officers, both serving and retired. He urged the cadets to leverage these interactions to enrich their experiences and prepare themselves for the responsibilities ahead.
“I urge you to learn as much as you can from your interactions with these seasoned officers,” Saraso said. “We are gathered here to recognize and celebrate your success, but this is only the beginning of your journey as potential officers in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
He reminded the cadets of the immense responsibility that comes with their impending commission as officers, stressing the need for dedication and courage in leading their troops.
“The baton of responsibility for leading and inspiring troops, which is the very essence of being a commissioned officer, is just about to be handed over to you,” Saraso noted. “It is both an immense privilege and a daunting challenge.”
Saraso expressed confidence in the cadets’ training and preparation, affirming that they had been groomed by some of the finest officers in the military. He lauded the cadets for embodying the core values essential for leadership, values that have been cultivated throughout their rigorous training at the NDA.
“It’s not by accident that you have made it this far,” Saraso said. “Each of you has demonstrated the special values required for leadership, and if you lacked these values, you would not be here today.”
Reflecting on his decades of service, Saraso highlighted the trust the nation places in commissioned officers to lead men in combat, both at home and abroad. He encouraged the cadets to seek and take pride in this recognition as they embark on their military careers.
Saraso congratulated the cadets for enduring the demanding training program, which spanned five years for regular cadets and four months for Direct Short Service Course (DSSC) cadets. He noted that their discipline, hard work, and resilience would soon be rewarded with a Presidential Commission into the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“When commissioned as officers, you become leaders of men. While good leadership is often difficult to define, it is easy to recognize,” Saraso remarked. “If you fail to attain this virtue in your leadership roles, you are simply an individual taking an aimless walk.”
In his closing remarks, Saraso left the cadets with five guiding principles for their careers: self-discipline, belief in themselves, continuous education, and seizing every learning opportunity.
Earlier in the event, the Commandant of the NDA, Maj.-Gen. John Ochai, commended the GOC’s message, describing it as a catalyst for motivating the cadets to strive for excellence. He urged the cadets to give their best in their service to the nation and to avoid any form of discrimination based on gender, religion, or ethnicity.
“Excellence is the watchword in the military, and there is no compromise in that regard,” Ochai emphasized.
(NAN)
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