The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has conducted the final outdoor field training exercise, codenamed “Exercise Camp Highland,” for Army Cadets of the 72 Regular Course and Short Service Course 48 at the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Lamingo, Shere Hill, Jos, Plateau State.

The 470 Army Cadets participated in the exercise.

The Commandant of the NDA, Major General Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim, while speaking to newsmen at the event, said he is highly satisfied with the cadets’ performance, adding that the cadets are more prepared to strengthen the fight against insecurity.

According to Ibrahim, Camp Highland Exercise is the final practical outdoor exercise for graduating cadets, pointing out that they are conducting the adventure phase at the centre because they found the type of training and package given there to be in line with their training objectives.

He further stated that the cadets’ training at the centre and what they have been taught in the Academy also reflect the current security challenges facing the country.

He disclosed that the training aims to improve the cadets’ stamina, endurance, resilience, and their ability to confront and overcome major challenges when they are commissioned.

“These are some of the things you saw here, the obstacles. They have different scenarios here both on land and on the water. These are the kinds of challenges they will face when they are commissioned,” he explained.

He also stressed that if they maintained the discipline they had been taught, they would hopefully graduate and be subsequently commissioned as officers of the Nigerian Army by September this year.

Speaking later, Cadets A.I. Shuaibu and O. Olawole said the Camp Highland Exercise is the final field training for cadets and is divided into four phases, including map reading, tactics, adventure, and battle inoculation.

According to the duo, they are currently undergoing the second adventure phase at the centre after the conclusion of the first phase, which was map reading at Kachia in Kaduna State.

They further stated that the adventure phase contained “watermanship, upscaling from cliff obstacles, and parachute jumping,” all of which aim at building their resilience, teamwork, critical thinking, and endurance.

The cadets also said the training at the centre helps them to become better team leaders and to further prepare them to tackle challenges whenever they are commissioned as officers of the Nigerian Army.