The Federal Government has assured that it remains committed to improving the welfare and operational requirements of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria as they tackle the multifaceted security challenges across the nation.
The pledge was made by the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd) during the Passing-out-Parade of the Nigerian Navy (NN) Direct Short Service Course 27 cadets held at the Nigerian Naval College, Onne Rivers State.
The Minister who was represented at the occasion by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin appreciated the untiring support of the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, who has continued to demonstrate the resolve and full support for the Armed Forces through the resourcing of operational requirements and personnel welfare as well as approving the increase in the manpower intake of the Armed Forces to comprehensively tackle the multi-faceted security threats across the nation.
The Minister acknowledged the contributions of the NN in spearheading internal security operations in the Niger Delta Region against militancy, piracy, sea robbery and crude oil theft as well as assisting sister Services in the North East operations against the Boko Haram insurgents.
This according to him is a testament of the strong institutional capacity of the Service built through effective, systematic and robust training matched with the requisite capabilities to defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria from both external and internal aggression. He added that the Passing-out-Parade was another milestone towards meeting the requisite human and equipment capacity required to attain the desired operational capability of the NN.
The Minister while congratulating the Passing out Cadets urged them not to relent on their oars as they begin their career in the Service. He reminded them to always bear in mind that a lot will be expected of them as newly commissioned officers, especially in light of the contemporary security challenges confronting the nation.
These challenges according to him call for dedication, selflessness, professionalism and chivalry as they must have discovered during the course of their training.
The highpoint of the occasion was the march-pass by the Officer-Cadets as well as the Shipping of Stripes to unveil their ranks. A total of 108 cadets were commissioned into the rank of Sub-Lieutenants in the NN during the occasion.