COAS Charges Passing Out Cadets To Uphold Oath Of Duty With Integrity and Discipline

COAS Charges Passing Out Cadets To Uphold Oath Of Duty With Integrity and Discipline

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General OO Oluyede, NAM, mni, has charged the Passing Out Cadets (POCs) of 72 Regular Course (72 RC), Short Service Course 48 (SSC Army,) Direct Short Service Course 33 (DSSC 33, Air Force), and Branch Commission Course 2 (BC 2, Air Force) to uphold the Oath of Duty they will soon swear by conducting themselves with integrity, discipline, moral uprightness, and strict adherence to both military and civil law.

The COAS gave the charge while addressing the cadets during the Regimental Dinner Night organised in their honour by the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) at the NDA Cadets’ Mess, Afaka, on Friday, 19 September 2025.

Speaking further, the COAS urged the cadets to remain disciplined, loyal, focused, motivated, and committed to their responsibilities as they prepare to be commissioned officers. “Above all, you must have integrity and discipline. These are the bedrock of the military profession, and they will sustain you in the officers’ corps and throughout your career in the military,” he emphasised.

The Army Chief also reminded the POCs to be physically and mentally prepared for the transition from cadets to officers, noting that many of them will soon be deployed to various theatres of operation across the country. He charged them always to put the national interest above personal considerations, to safeguard lives and property, and to protect Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“There will be tough and dark times, but always remember that you are not alone. Stand together as brothers-in-arms, and always remember that one of the highest honours is to be a commissioned officer, entrusted to bear arms and fight for the country,” he said.

Lieutenant General Oluyede expressed confidence in the cadets’ ability to excel when deployed to their various units and formations, attributing this to the reforms in the NDA training curriculum under the leadership of the Commandant, Major General AK Ibrahim, OFR. He commended the Commandant for his efforts in enhancing cadets’ training, which he said would yield positive results in the field.

The COAS further expressed appreciation to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his unwavering support for the Armed Forces of Nigeria. He also thanked the Commandant of the NDA, Principal Staff Officers, and all military and civilian staff of the Academy for their dedication and commitment to producing confident, efficient, and knowledgeable officers for the nation.

The Regimental Dinner Night is one of several events lined up ahead of the Passing Out Parade and Commissioning Ceremony for the cadets of 72 RC, SSC 48 (Army), DSSC 33 (Air Force), and BC 2 (Air Force), slated for Saturday, 27 September 2025. The event, a long-standing military tradition, provided the cadets with the opportunity to interact with senior military officers and civilian staff, as well as to acquaint themselves with the etiquette and conduct required of gentleman officers of the AFN.