The federal government has reiterated its firm commitment to creating a peaceful environment conducive for positive aspirations to thrive. The president reiterated this commitment today at the parade ground of the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna during the 59 Regular Course and Short Service 40 (NA) graduation ceremony.
President Goodluck Jonathan who was represented by vice president Namadi Sambo said security remains the key component of the administration’s transformation agenda and that “those who are bent on causing disaffection among the good people of our country under whatever guise must desist from such unprofitable venture and embrace our shared aspiration for peace and progress.”
The president while congratulating the graduands, commended the officers for successfully completing the challenging training to be commissioned officers.
“I commend you on successfully completing the very challenging training to emerge as commissioned officers. You have every reason to feel proud and fulfilled for an important occasion like this. The resilience and commitment you demonstrated these past years should be a source of great pride to you and your family and indeed Nigeria.” Said the president.
President Goodluck Jonathan charged the officers to live up to the reputation of the Nigerian Armed Forces which was known for its valour, resilience and loyal service.
The president, also urged the officers to strive to live up to the values of the of the armed forces and reminded them that they have important roles to play in the transformation of the this country and enjoined them to key into the main thrust of the transformation programme in order to make invaluable contributions to the realization of the transformation agenda.
The president expressed his pleasure to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) for consistently training well-disciplined officers of the Nigerian armed forces and those of sisters African countries, which he said has justified its strategic importance to the nation.
At the convocation hall, three eminent personalities were conferred with honorary degrees by the academy. They are: Her Excellency Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf President of the Republic of Liberia, conferred with the Honorary Degree of the Doctor of Management Science; the former Commonwealth secretary-general Chief Anyaoku conferred with Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters; and the Senate President David Mark conferred with Honorary Degree of Doctor of Political Science.
In her acceptance speech, the Liberian President Sirleaf Johnson expressed her deep gratitude to the Nigerian government for her continued support of peace and security in Liberia and the world in general.
Sirleaf thanked the government of Nigeria and the authorities of the Nigerian Defence Academy for conferring on her such an honorary degree making her the first foreign president to be conferred with such honor by the academy.
