NDC Commandant Charges Course 33 Graduating Participants: Service, Sacrifice, and Strategic Leadership for National Security
As part of activities marking the graduation of Course 33 of the National Defence College (NDC), the Commandant, Rear Admiral James Okosun, has charged participants to translate the knowledge and experience gained during the almost 50-week programme into selfless service to their nations, anchored on integrity, discipline, and patriotism.
Rear Admiral Okosun gave the charge at both the Interdenominational Church Service held on Sunday, 17 August 2025, and through a message delivered during the special Jumu’ah Service on Friday, 15 August 2025, at the College Mosque.
Addressing the graduating participants, the Commandant stressed the need for them to be key components in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges by embodying critical thinking, sound judgment, and strategic foresight. He reminded them that they had been deliberately tested under intellectual pressure to build resilience and discipline for higher responsibilities.
“As you go forth, you will be shepherds over large bodies of men. Our desire is that you will be good ambassadors of this College, taking sound decisions that will make your nations proud. You must be part of the solution to our national security challenges,” he said.
Rear Admiral Okosun acknowledged the sacrifices of spouses and families, describing them as “silent pillars of strength” who stood by the participants throughout the demanding training period. He urged the graduates to place national interest above personal considerations, and to embrace service and sacrifice with full readiness and faith.
The Commandant also expressed gratitude to God for the successful conduct of the course, while commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Service Chiefs, faculty, and college community for their sustained support. “While men may prepare for battle, it is God who gives victory. The success of this programme is entirely His doing, and we are indeed grateful,” he noted. He further encouraged allied participants from across the globe to return home as true friends of Nigeria and ambassadors of the College, having experienced the hospitality of the country.
In his sermon at the Interdenominational Service, the Chaplain, Sub-Lt Ugochukwu Obi, urged the graduating officers to serve as shepherds and leaders of integrity in their various services and agencies. Similarly, at the Jumu’ah Service, the College Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Ayodele Hanidu, who delivered the Commandant’s message, reminded the participants that the pursuit of beneficial knowledge must strengthen communities, uplift humanity, and contribute to global peace and development.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Colonel Umar Abbas expressed gratitude to the College leadership for the transformative experience, describing it as a test of resilience, patience, and intellectual capacity. He urged colleagues to leave with clean minds, ready to forgive, and to sustain the bonds of camaraderie developed during the course.
The Interdenominational and Jumu’ah Services formed part of the line-up of activities leading to the graduation ceremony of Course 33, scheduled for 22 August 2025.
