President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to completing the permanent site of the National Defence College (NDC) to strengthen strategic training for Nigeria and allied nations.
Tinubu, represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, gave the assurance on Friday at the graduation ceremony of 99 participants of NDC Course 33 in Abuja.
The participants, drawn from 19 countries, included senior officers from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, ministries, departments, agencies, and 23 international representatives.
Tinubu said that when fully equipped, the college could evolve into a Defence Postgraduate University. He disclosed that he had directed the Commandant of the college to work with the Minister of Defence to develop a strategy for upgrading the facilities, while government would explore further interventions to enhance its infrastructure.
“I have been briefed on the state of infrastructure at the permanent site in Piwoyi. While progress has been made, much remains to be done. I assure you that this administration is committed to completing the permanent site,” he said.
The President urged the graduating officers to embody the college’s values of excellence, courage, patriotism, and integrity. He also encouraged participants from allied nations to nurture friendships built in Nigeria into bridges of cooperation.
Tinubu commended the Commandant, management, and faculty of the college for their dedication to training strategic leaders, and congratulated the graduates for completing 48 weeks of rigorous study.
“We are gathered here to honour your commitment, endurance, and devotion to a worthy cause. I have directed that relevant stakeholders study your recommendations and harvest the strategies you proposed, because strengthening indigenous manufacturing is indispensable to our nation’s security and development,” he said.
(NAN)