While addressing staff and cadets during the commissioning ceremony, the HMOD applauded the Commandant for his determination to improve the quality of training at the Academy by putting in place key facilities, noting that any visitor who has not been to the Academy in the past one year will be surprised at the number of projects that have been completed under Major General MT Ibrahim. “It is my belief that these facilities would enhance the training of cadets at the Academy and in turn produce better officers for the armed forces of our country”, he disclosed further.

Furthermore, he noted, the armed forces world over now rely on the application of science, research and development in devising new and effective ways of carrying out their important responsibilities. He therefore applauded the establishment of the NDA Faculty of Military Sciences complex, indicating that it will consolidate the application of science for the military purposes.

Similarly, the Minister praised the completion of the NDA Indoor Gallery Shooting Range, a development which he revealed will undoubtedly improve the firing skills of cadets of the Academy. Speaking further, the HMOD averred that mastering the skills and techniques of shooting is essential to every military personnel, especially with th dynamics of the current security challenges facing our country. In the same vein, he applauded the purchase of 12 Training Vehicles for conveying cadets to and from bush exercises, and other vehicles. He disclosed that the vehicles will ease the burden of training cadets at the Academy.

He concluded by disclosing that the Commandant’s drive to change things for the better at the Nigerian Defence Academy is in line with the current administration’s Change mantra.

Speaking earlier, the Commandant NDA, Major General MT Ibrahim, highlighted the reason for which the projects were conceived and actualized. He disclosed that on his assumption of office he inherited a system where cadets were being ferried to and from military exercises in buses, a development that did not settle down well with him. He therefore resolved to change this trend. Thereafter he contacted the vehicle manufacturers in Holland, whom he struck a deal with to pay for the vehicle in several installments. He however disclosed that after the first deposit the Federal Ministry of Defence intervened and the vehicles were captured in the Budget, leading to their outright purchase.

While also speaking on what necessitated the construction of the 300 – metre Indoor Gallery Shooting Range, Major General Ibrahim said that the project was conceived to improve the shooting capabilities of cadets and also provide them 24 hours access to a Shooting Range. He further disclosed that the new range comprises an electronic firing range and a gallery shooting range, as well as a Shoot House. All of which he disclosed are geared towards giving the cadets greater access to a range and helping them hone their shooting skills and capabilities.

Delivering the Vote of Thanks, the Deputy Commandant, Air Vice Marshall OS Ntukogu, expressed appreciation to the Minister for his untiring support to the Nigerian Defence Academy, noting that this has added value to the training of cadets at the Academy. He also revealed that the facilities being commissioned were as a result of the support of the Minister to the Academy. He expressed joy that the commissioning of the Faculty of Military Science, as well as the other facilities, puts the Nigerian Defence Academy ahead of other universities in the country, since the faculty is the first of its kind in Nigeria, noting that the development is a milestone for the Nigerian Armed Forces.