Etim Effiong with agency report
The Nigerian Army has commissioned 373 cadets of its Direct Short Service Course (DSSC) 25/2020, into officer’s cadre at the Nigerian Army, School of Infantry in Jaji, Kaduna State on Saturday.
The officers, according to the News Agency of Nigeria, who comprised serving and non-serving personnel, graduated in different fields after six months of intensive training at the school.
The new officers were conferred with the rank of Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army by the Minister of Defence, Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi, represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin.
Addressing the new officers, Magashi said that the DSSC was designed for the employment of professionals from various fields into specialist corps and directorates of the Nigerian army.
According to him, the commissioning ceremony was significant considering the myriad of security challenges confronting the country, especially insurgency and banditry in the North East and North West zones, respectively.
The minister urged the new officers to brace for the task ahead, noting that many of them would be subsequently deployed to support the various ongoing internal security operations.
He said, “Your commissioning today is coming at a time when the Nigerian Army is engaged in different operations in response to the myriad of security challenges.
“These include counter-insurgency operations in the North East and anti-banditry operations in the North West, among others.
“Most of you will find yourself in various theatres in support of these operations. I am certain that your training has inculcated in you a high standard of discipline and professionalism, which you would be expected to inculcate in addressing these security challenges.
“We expect nothing, but total commitment, loyalty, selflessness and sacrifice from you. I implore you to put all that you have learnt into practice in the discharge of your assigned roles.”
Magashi, however, appealed to the cadets to live up to oath of allegiance to be loyal to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and to the Nigerian army.
He assured them that they would subsequently be posted to different corps of the Army, where they would be exposed to further training in different areas of specialisation.
“You must endeavour to continue to seek personal development, which will add value to your service to the Nigerian army,” he said.
The defence minister asked them to apply the tradition and customs of the Nigerian Army and be conversant with the harmonised terms and conditions of service of the Army to guide them.
Magashi commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, for providing resources and direction to NASI, as well as the commandant and instructors, for the good job being done.