The National Defence College Course 24 passed out on Friday 5 August, 2016 at a colourful Ceremony which was attended by Mr President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhamadu Buhari who was the Special Guest of Honour. The Course which has a total of 130 Participants comprises 55 from the Nigerian Army, 40 from the Nigerian Navy, 12 from Nigerian Air Force, 5 from the Nigeria Police, 11 from Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government and 7 Foreign Participants from Niger Republic, Benin Republic, Zambia, Sierra-Leone and Ghana.

 

Speaking at the Graduation Ceremony, the Commandant National Defence College Rear Admiral SI Alade expressed his appreciation to Mr President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari for finding time inspite of his busy schedules to grace the occasion. The Commandant also pointed out that the Graduating Course was privileged to be the first to make Higher Defence Management Strategic Research Paper Presentation at the State House on the request of His Excellency, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN GCON on ‘Youth Bulge’ conducted by the Participants of NDC Course 24. The Commandant also stated that the general performance of the Course was adjudged above average. He also stated that the next Course 25 will have 11 Foreign Participants from Germany, Brazil, India, Turkey, Mali and other foreign countries and the Course is expected to be inaugurated on 14 September, 2016.

In his remarks, the Special Guest of Honour, President Muhammadu Buhari commended the College for an impressive maintenance of standards. He then used the opportunity to call on the Nigerian Military to sustain the tempo in the fight against cattle rustling/farmers-herdsmen clash. He then congratulated the Graduating Participants and encouraged them to utilize what they have learnt in the College and apply it in the course of their duties.

 

High points of the Ceremony include presentation of certificates to the Graduating Participants and other College Awards to some Past Commandants including former Head of State General AA Abubakar (Rtd), Major General CA Garuba (Rtd), Major General GO Abbe (Rtd) and Vice Admiral Jibrilla Anyila (Rtd). Other awards presented were for the Honourable Minister of Defence, National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for NDC Alumnus Star Awards.

Colonel AA Adeyinka of the Nigerian Army emerged best overall and clinched the Presidential Award for the best all round Participant while Colonel ST Shafaru also from the Nigerian Army, got the Vice President’s Award for the second best Graduating Participant and Commandant’s Award for best service paper while the Honourable Minister of Defence’s Award for 3^rd overall went to Captain OA Oludude of the Nigerian Navy.

 

The Commandant, Rear Admiral SI Alade making a Presentation to President Muhammadu Buhari

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The Commandant, Rear Admiral SI Alade flanked by President Muhammadu Buhari and other dignitaries

 

 

 

 

The graduands in a group photograph with the C-in-C, President Muhammadu Buhari