Indian Defence Advisor to Nigeria, Navy Captain Guatam Marwaha, has again re – emphasized the important place of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in the relationship between Nigeria and India when he noted that NDA represents the most significant expression of the warm ties enjoyed by both countries, which he indicated has grown stronger over the years.



Captain Marwaha made this affirmation when he paid a courtesy visit on the Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy, Major General Mohammed Tasi’u Ibrahim, at the NDA headquarters recently. The visiting Defence Advisor who went on to describe the Nigerian Defence Academy to a second home to him and other Indian military officers further relayed the goodwill the Academy enjoys within the Indian military, particularly amongst those officers who helped in setting up the Nigerian Defence Academy and served as pioneer staff of the Academy, many of whom have risen to the top of the military career in India. He noted that the spirit and gusto with which the pioneer Indian staff studiously strived to develop the Academy lives on even today.



Speaking on how best to strengthen existing ties between NDA and the Indian military, Captain Marwaha expressed his country eagerness to fully explore previous agreements and plans with the Nigerian Defence Academy. He spoke about their eagerness to actualize Cadets and Instructors Exchange Program and joint military exercises between the Nigerian Defence Academy and Indian military institutions which both parties discussed last year, noting that arrangements were on ground already to receive NDA cadets and instructors at the newly established Indian Naval Academy. He expressed his country’s hope that these agreements would come to fruition early next year.


Responding to remarks made by the visiting Defence Advisor, the Commandant NDA, Major General MT Ibrahim, gave glowing tribute to the Indian military for its role in the establishment and nurturing of the Nigerian Defence Academy. He praised the Indians for their dexterity and deep understanding of what is required in the moulding of an officer. He particularly gave credence to NDA’s pioneer Commandant, Brigadier General MR Varma, whom he disclosed had a profound impact on the development of NDA and on Nigerian officers, noting that many in Nigeria still use the Varma era as a yardstick for the evaluation of the quality of training in NDA. General Ibrahim further sounded the clarion call for the NDA to reconnect with the idealistic beginnings of the Academy in order to move the Academy into a brighter future.

On the matter of joint military exercises between NDA and Indian institutions, the Commandant revealed that NDA was making concerted efforts to prepare her cadets so that they can make meaningful contributions to such activities. He however gave the indication that soon such exercises will see the light of day. He also, expressed his desire to visit India with some principal officers of the Academy soon.


The visit by the Indian Defence Advisor, Captain Guatam Marwaha, forms part of several visits and collaboration between NDA and India in the last couple of years, including the visits by some Indian cadets and their instructors to NDA, visit by pioneer Indian instructors of NDA during the institution’s 50th Anniversary celebrations and the donation of ICT equipment to NDA, among others.


                                                                              
                                                                                           Capt MA Yahaya
                                                                                           NDA PRO.             


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