GENERAL AKALE CHARGES GRADUATING CADETS TO BE GOOD LEADERS.

Lieutenant General AFK Akale (rtd), a former Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy and the Special Guest of Honour (SGOH) during the Commandant’s Luncheon in honour of cadets of 68 Regular Course, has tasked the graduating cadets to aspire to be the good leaders that troops can risk their lives to follow even in the most dangerous circumstances.

Lt Gen Akale gave this charge when he was addressing the cadets at the NDA Academy House, venue for the Commandant’s Luncheon. He noted that as commissioned officers, the cadets would automatically become military leaders.

He stated “From my experience over the past decades, the nation can bestow no higher honour on you than entrusting you with the task of leading men in combat either at home or abroad. This is the kind of positive recognition you should seek to achieve and be fondly proud of for the rest of your life”.

The SGOH who congratulated the cadets for surviving the 5 years of exhaustive training at the Nigerian Defence Academy, noted that to have reached this stage in their training, the cadets must have demonstrated good personal qualities. He added that a Presidential Commission into the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria demands discipline, hard work and resilience.

He stated that the journey to generalship is both a unique privilege and a daunting challenge. He however added that “I have no doubt that you have been adequately trained and prepared for the challenge ahead by some of the very best officers the Armed Forces of Nigeria. Indeed, it is no accident that you have made it this far”.

Lt Gen Akale praised the efforts of the Commandant NDA, Major General IM Yusuf, whom he described as a gentleman senior officer and someone whom he shares a unique historical relationship with. He also commended the staff of the Nigerian Defence Academy for their tireless commitment towards training the best officers for the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

Speaking earlier, Commandant NDA, Maj Gen IM Yusuf, expressed gratitude to General Akale for attending the event as the Special Guest of Honour. He disclosed that the cadets stand to achieve a lot by drawing from the wealth of experience and knowledge of the SGOH, whom he noted possesses the key attributes of generalship, which include patience, humility, empathy and moral courage. He therefore challenged the cadets to keenly take note of General Akale’s advice to them and use them studiously if they nurse any hope of advancing to the peak of their career in the military.

Highlight of the event include presentation of sovenier to the SGOH and a cultural display by various dance troupes and Academy live band.