Irked by the activities of terrorists in the country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged newly-commissioned officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces to uphold the Constitution, safeguard the nation’s economy and protect Nigerians from threats to the country’s security.

Tinubu gave the directive to the newly commissioned officers, at the weekend, in Kaduna during the combined Passing Out Parade of cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), where he was represented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas.

The ceremony featured cadets of the 73 Regular Course for the Army, Navy and Air Force, Short Service Course 49 (Army), Direct Short Service Course 34 (Air Force) and Branch Commission Course 3 (Air Force).

Addressing the graduating cadets, the President said they were entering a career at a time when adversaries were seeking to undermine Nigeria’s values and progress through violence and propaganda.

“Therefore, your duty is to uphold the Constitution, safeguard our economy and protect our people,” he said.

He urged the new officers to uphold discipline, honour, professionalism and selfless service, stressing that their advancement in the Armed Forces would depend on the values acquired at the Academy.

“Therefore, you are to strive for excellence in every given task as the nation is counting on you,” Tinubu added.

The President commended the NDA for adapting its training curriculum to contemporary security challenges, particularly through enhanced counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency training and the integration of technology into military training and research.

He said the Academy had also expanded its facilities and introduced specialised warfare training in collaboration with the various services.

Tinubu highlighted innovations being developed through the NDA’s Centre for Innovation and Creativity, including precision-guided munitions, remotely operated weapon systems and multipurpose mobile robots.

He urged the Academy to sustain the momentum and deepen collaboration with military training institutions, defence industries and academic institutions.

The President also said Nigeria’s security challenges could not be addressed through military operations alone, noting that poverty, unemployment, poor education and social disintegration were among the drivers of conflict.

He said his administration was therefore combining security efforts with job creation, macroeconomic stability, human capital development and social protection under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

On regional security, Tinubu said Nigeria would continue to pursue diplomacy, security cooperation and economic integration through ECOWAS and other regional bodies.

He reiterated Nigeria’s opposition to unconstitutional changes of government while stressing that the country would not abandon its neighbours in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

Tinubu also commended the NDA for its growing international engagements, noting that Nigerian cadets were undergoing military training in the United Kingdom, United States, Brazil and France, while the Academy had received invitations to international military cadet competitions.

He said the participation demonstrated the Academy’s growing professional standing and Nigeria’s contribution to defence education and capacity development on the continent.

The President congratulated the graduating cadets and appreciated their families for the emotional, moral and material support provided throughout their training.

The NDA had earlier disclosed that 444 cadets of the 73 Regular Course were graduating, after completing five years of training comprising four years of academic studies and one year of full military training.