By Abdullahi Alhassan Kaduna
The Chief of Defence Staff, General LEO Irabor, unveiled two books and the Nigerian Defence Academy Strategic Plan 2023 - 2033, as well as commissioned 4 units of furnished duplexes and other projects at the Academy.
The books, titled: Defence, Security and Sustainable Development in Africa: Emerging Challenges and Responses - Volumes I & II is a collection of scholarly essays that critically examine the nature and dynamics of Defence, Security and Sustainable Development and interrelatedness of the three concepts. While the NDA Strategic Plan 2023 - 2030 outlines the Academy's Strategic Mission, Objectives and Plan of Action, with the aim of repositioning the NDA to be among the top universities in Nigeria.
Speaking at the unveiling of the books, Gen LEO Irabor stated that NDA has become a hub for knowledge production and publication on topical issues, particularly defence, security and sustainable development.He commended the Academy for always conducting research and development activities that address the defence and security needs of Nigeria.
Gen Irabor disclosed that, there is an intricate connection between defence, security, and sustainable development which oftentimes is not fully understood. He called the three concepts a tripod.
"The first leg of the tripod, which is defence, seeks to deter any attack on the state, defend its independence and inviolability, and preserve its integrity. The second, which is security, refers to protection from, or resilience against, the potential harm caused by others. The third leg of the tripod is sustainable development, which is the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs", he added.
Commenting on the new NDA Strategic Plan 2023 - 2033, the CDS expressed his satisfaction with the Nigerian Defence Academy. Saying, it continues to reinvent itself in the face of a changing world. He commended the Commandant NDA, Major General Ibrahim Manu Yusuf and the leadership of the Academy for the impressive job of working to reposition NDA among the top 10 universities in Nigeria. Through an effective strategic plan and improving its infrastructure. The CDS praised Maj Gen IM Yusuf for leaving his footprints in the sands of time and urged him to ensure that the document is fully implemented.
Earlier in his Opening Remarks, Major General Ibrahim Manu Yusuf, thanked the CDS and the Service Chiefs for their support to the Academy. Without which the NDA would not have achieved much. He stated that the NDA Strategic Plan will position the Academy as one of the best universities in the country and even Africa at large, noting that the implementation of strategic plan has already commenced and will last for the next 10years.
The CDS later led other dignitaries to commission several projects. The projects commissioned are; 4 newly built duplexes, an Indoor Sports Complex named 'General Irabor Sports Complex'. Also, 2 parade grounds were unveiled in honour of 2 former Nigerian Defence Academy Rigimental Seageant Majors, RSM Oliver Nzalgana and RSM Rufai Ajetunmobi.
Highlights of the event include, Presentation of Souvenir, Goodwill messages by the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen F Yahaya and others.