……pledges President Buhari’s unabated support to uplift National Defence College
The Minister of Defence Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (retd) has assured the Nigerian Armed Forces of Government’s efforts towards galvanizing their capabilities to deliver on national defence and security mandate.
General Magashi stated this as a Special guest of honour at the commissioning ceremony of the fifty-six (56) block of flats and fifty-six (56) Boys’ Quarters of the First National Defence College, (NDC) Directing Staff Quarters at its permanent site, Piwoyi Abuja.
While guaranteeing Military’s sufficient equipment, adequate trainings and continuous motivation for the officers and personnel at all times, he said the Ministry of Defence under his watch will continue to support the National Defence College.
The Defence Minister who had served before as Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) described NDC as a cerebral center of excellence that deserves all the necessary fundings and logistics supports to facilitate its relocation soon to its enviable permanent site.
General Magashi told the management of the College that the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari is solidly behind the institution pointing out that the completion of the 9-story edifice is yet another demonstration of the Federal Government’s resolve to improve the welfare of the officers, personel and the Civilian elements.
The Commandant National Defence College, Abuja, Rear Admiral Oladele Bamidele Daji appreciated the support of the Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Magashi in ensuring the completion of the project which he said suffered delay owing to inflationary trends. occasioned by budgetary constraints.
Rear Admiral Daji later led the special guest to perform the symbolic unveiling ceremony and cutting of the tape.
The Commandant thereafter led the dignitaries including the representative of the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, Olu Mustapha, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Leo Irabor and Service Chiefs to inspect the facilities in the newly commissioned project.
The climax of the parade was the familiarisation tour of the NDC Permanent site by the Special guest for on the spot assessment of the on-going projects with a view to taking stock of their levels of completions and to determine the areas of strategic intervention by the Minister to fast track their timely delivery in accordance with contractual agreements and specifications.
Signed:
Mohammad Abdulkadri,
Special Assistant to the Minister of Defence on Media and Publicity.
5th August, 2021
