The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NDA

  • Insurgency: Why NDA must produce quality officers, by Defence Minister

    Insurgency: Why NDA must produce quality officers, by Defence Minister

    Minister of Defence, Brigadier General Muhammad Dan- Ali (rtd), yesterday said the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) must keep producing credible and quality officers with the ongoing war against terror.

    He spoke with reporters shortly after inaugurating the NDA crest and logo monuments, among several others with completed projects at the permanent site of the premier military university.

    Dan-Ali expressed satisfaction with the activities of the institution.

    He expressed the readiness of the federal government to provide necessary assistance to the NDA for it to effectively and efficiently discharge their responsibilities.

    “NDA is progressing and I’m very happy with what I saw on ground. I believe this is where the tradition, courage and value of the Nigerian Armed Forces is moulded

    “The Academy is where the Armed Forces are trained and with all the challenges we are having. The NDA has not done badly.

    “The Armed Forces will be increased and we are coming to look at how we are going to assist them and get their projects done, increasing their support and enlarge the Armed Forces.”

    The minister also visited the Indoor gallery range project, which is ongoing and whose foundation laying ceremony is expected ýto be performed by the Chief of Defence Staff.

    Other projects commissioned by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defen ce, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), the Chief of Air Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff are the cadet extension block, remoulded 5th termer block, new armoury, obstacle course, the NDA museum and loyalty conference room.

  • Buhari applauds Armed Forces’ resolve to end insurgency

    Buhari applauds Armed Forces’ resolve to end insurgency

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday commended Nigerian Armed Forces’ resolve to speedily end insurgency and all forms of terrorist activities in the country.

    The president gave the commendation while addressing officers, troops and newly commissioned cadets at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.

    He stated that the Federal Government was pleased with the Armed Forces’ resolve to end the insurgency facing the country once and for all.

    Buhari, however, reaffirmed his administration’s total commitment to the rule of law and warned that proven acts of human rights violation by the Armed Forces would be punished.

    He emphasised that the rule of law applied to the Armed Forces as much as any other institution in the country.

    “I wish to remind you of the Federal Government’s commitment to overhaul the rules of engagement and improve operational and legal mechanisms so that disciplinary steps are taken against proven human rights violations by the armed forces.

    “We are committed to a thorough investigation of recent and any future occurrences of human rights violations by elements of our Armed Forces.

    “While I applaud the integrity and sterling record of the Armed Forces as an institution, this administration will insist on the rule of law, and deal with any proven cases of deviation from laws of armed conflict, including human rights abuses.

    “In operational conduct Nigerians expect our Armed Forces to keep law and order, and not to behave like bullies.

    “Let me reiterate this administration’s commitment to due process, merit and total observance of the rule of law as central pillars of a prosperous and democratic society.

    “Rule of law as an element of good governance applies to the Armed Forces as much as any institution in our country.

    “It is therefore gratifying that all three Services have recently taken steps to emphasise strict adherence to rules in recruitment, promotions, procurement, project executions and civil-military relations,’’ he said.

    The president said security remains the most important challenge in his Administration’s “Change” Programme.

    According to him, the nation expects exemplary conduct and professionalism from officers and men of its Armed Forces at all times and in all situations.

    “The objectives of our fight against terrorism cannot be realized without a credible and effective military.

    “You must avoid any behaviour that will tarnish your honour and dignity as commissioned officers.

    “Your commitment and loyalty to the Armed Forces and the nation must be total.

    “I urge you to take your roles in the ongoing process of rebuilding our Armed Forces very seriously,” the President told the newly inaugurated officer Cadets of the NDA’s 62 Regular Course and Short Service Course 43.”

    Buhari assured them of his Administration’s determination to ensure the speedy provision of platforms and equipment needed to win the war against terrorism and meet their long term needs.

     

  • Why Nigeria’s unity can’t be compromised – Mark

    Why Nigeria’s unity can’t be compromised – Mark

    Former Senate President, Senator David Mark, Thursday said that for the country to experience peace and development, Nigerians must continue to demonstrate strong sense of commitment to the unity of the country.

    Senator Mark stated this when he addressed members of the 3rd Regular Course of the Nigeria Defence Academy Alumni Association who met in Abuja yesterday.

    He insisted that the unity of the country in the face of its diversity cannot be compromised regardless of the challenges facing the nation.

    The former Senate President, who is the Chairman of the 3rd Regular Course NDA Alumni Association, noted that the body is a non-political assemblage that was borne out of the need to oversee the welfare of members and their families.

    He said: “This is an annual event, which is like a ritual now, and the date of September 3, is fixed permanently in our diaries.

    “The 3rd Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy Alumni Association is a non-governmental association, as well as a non-political one.”

    He further explained that the annual meeting is intended to be a platform for the reunion of all members, as well as a means of ensuring collective advancement of the association.

    Mark also maintained that the essence of the annual reunion was designed to be a programme that focuses primarily on the welfare of widows and children of deceased colleagues.

    “We’ve been able to keep this going to ensure that we look after the welfare of our own colleagues and families as much as we can. But most importantly I think it it about the reunion that brings us and our families together,”

    While thanking all members for making out time to attend this year’s reunion event, he urged the retired military officers to be patriotic citizens of Nigeria, adding that they must do all within their powers to keep the nation united.

     

     

  • ‘NDA killed my son’

    ‘NDA killed my son’

    A retired Wing Commander with the Nigeria Air Force, Danladi Angulu Kwasu has accused the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) of deliberately drowning his 19-year old son, Elshadai Kwasu (NDA/10037) in a 100 metre-deep lake during a training session.

    Kwasu, representing Zangon Kataf in the Kaduna State House of Assembly alleged that about 20 cadets have died in swimming exercise due to negligence and the NDA did nothing to change the situation.

    He said: “My son died of drowning occasioned by gross negligence on April 30. The NDA took them for a camping exercise (Camp Highland) and in the course of the exercise, a worker pushed him into the deepest part of the Kangimi Dam.

    “He was pushed into this deep water from a high platform. A rope was tied loosely around his waist with another person standing on the platform above the water and holding unto the other end of the rope.

    “Before he was pushed, he expressed his reservations on using a rope as a safety measure since he had never swam before; the worker overheard him and while still on the platform, the same worker pushed him into the water suddenly and in the process, the loose rope around his waist was further loosened.

    “When Elshadai disappeared, the worker watched helplessly, none of the trainers could dive to rescue my son; there was no life jacket, no lifeguard or diver to save the boy. Local fishermen were called to use their fish hooks to search and my son was accidentally hooked in his mouth and his corpse brought to the surface after three hours.

    “I am compelled to speak because my efforts to be shown the video and get an official brief have been to no avail. I will not keep quiet; I will do all to address this impunity and incompetence as displayed by the NDA.

    “My son is not the first to drown; not less than 20 officer cadets have suffered this faith and nothing was done to prevent a recurrence”.

    NDA commandant Major Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Idris said: “We shall state our side of the story tomorrow (today). We will call the press tomorrow morning and explain what happened”.

  • ‘Equip yourself for dental emergencies’

    A dentist has identified adequate knowledge and preparation for a successful management of dental emergencies.

    President, Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), Dr Olurotimi Olojede said medical emergencies usually occur during tooth extraction and root filling when an anaesthesiologist administers local anaesthesia on a patient.

    Olojede spoke during the briefing on NDA’s ordinary general meeting (OGM) slated for Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    He said a dental emergency referred to a condition causing acute pain related to the teeth, guns and supporting bone, and structures in or around the mouth.

    Other dental emergencies, he said, are sudden loss of dental restoration, which causes concern or difficulty in eating, even if there was no pain.

    He said a dental emergency was not usually a type of medical emergency since there was no real threat to life.

    Though there were medical emergencies in dental practice, “Dental practitioners and other health care workers need to have appropriate skills, training and equipment to deal with potentially life threatening conditions.

    “In the United States (US) and Canada, studies have shown that fainting is the most common medical emergency seen by dentists. This, represented approximately 50 per cent of all emergencies. The next is mild allergy which represented about eight per cent.

    “Other emergencies reported are allegic reactions, postural hypotension (low blood sugar) and seizures, and diabetic emergencies,” Olojede said.

  • Dentists meet in Abeokuta

    The second Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) of the Nigerian Dental Association (NDA) holds from February 25-26 in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

    Its President, Dr Rotimi Olojede, said the theme of the meeting would be “Management of emergencies in dental practice.”

    He noted that managing emergencies in dental practices require adequate knowledge and preparation.