NDA modifies training to meet challenges –Commandant

 

Nigerian Soldiers

the Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Maj-Gen. Chukwuemeka Owuamaegbu, said the nation’s foremost military institution had modified its training to meet prevalent security challenges in the country. The commandant said this at the graduation of 39 cadets of the institute from the Nigerian Army School of Infantry Basic Airborne Training Course 3/13, in Jaji, near Kaduna State, on Tuesday.

Owuamaegbu noted that as a result of the security challenges in the country, the NDA had to introduce courses like Counter Terrorism and Insurgency Training in the curriculum of the school.

“We modify our training depending on the current situation. Just a few years ago based on the insecurity challenges in the country, we introduced the Counter Terrorism and Insurgency Training and these gentlemen who have just finished their airborne training would tomorrow commence that training and by the time they pass out in September 2014, they would have been trained for the current challenges the country is facing now,” he said.

Owuamaegbu who expressed satisfaction with the performance of the graduating cadets, however, charged them (cadets) to be ready to put to test what they learnt during the six-week-training.

The training, he said, include, “field exercises, peace support operations and airborne operation.”

The Commandant of NASI, Maj-Gen.Tukur Buratai, who was represented by the Acting Deputy Commandant, Colonel Sanni Audu, said 39 cadets had successfully completed the cadet Basic Airborne Course in jump school and attained the minimum five mandatory jumps from an airborne platform and were thus qualified to be decorated with the coveted Nigerian Army Paratroopers Wing.

He said the training at the jump school was designed to achieve vigorous physical conditioning to produce physically-fit and skilled elite troops, tailored towards “mental alertness, discipline, self confidence, bravery, team spirit and high sense of loyalty.”

“This set of cadets, have had the opportunity to be trained for six weeks to cover Special Forces operations. A total of 55 volunteers of the 61st regular course NDA reported for the course on October 3, 2013, they all made the screening and commenced training on October 7, 2013,” he said.