The Chief of Defence Staff U(CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor on Thursday urged graduating cadets of Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), to uphold discipline, loyalty, patriotism and professionalism, being the hallmarks of a military career.

The CDS stated this at the Academy Regimental Dinner night, organized in honour of graduating cadets of 69 Regular Course of the NDA in Kaduna.

Irabor told the cadets that for them to reach the peak of their career, which is the desire of any military officer, they must maintain a high sense of responsibility, integrity, dedication, knowledge, esprit-de-corps and above, all good character.

He reminded them that the NDA and the Armed Forces of Nigeria as a whole expected much from them in terms of dedication to duty and selfless service to the nation.

“As you wait for your commissioning which will usher you into the noble career you have chosen, I urge you to bear in mind that you have been trained and equipped with the capacity to professionally discharge your enshrined constitutional responsibilities”, he said.

He further advised the cadets to be cautious, well-behaved and avoid all forms of temptations that could lead them to compromise the standard of military ethics and values for materialism or self-gratification.

He told the graduands that since its establishment in 1964, the NDA had consistently transformed its physical infrastructure and intellectual capital to meet the manpower needs of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

The CDS, therefore, said he had no iota of doubt that the Academy had prepared them adequately to meet the demands of the ever-changing volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous operational environment.

Irabor congratulated the Commandant, the Principal Staff Officers and the entire staff of the NDA, for their relentless efforts in churning out yet another set of highly qualified and skilled officers.

The graduating 69 Regular Course Cadets are expected to be formally initiated into the Armed Forces of Nigeria on Oct 6.