By Femi Mustapha and Divine Macaulay, in Kaduna
The Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Major General Abdul Khalifa Ibrahim, has stated that Kaduna State, home to the Academy, is now safer than it has been in the past concerning insecurity and other criminal activities.
However, he said that more work is needed to ensure comprehensive security, noting, “We are not yet where we want to be.”
Major General Ibrahim made this remark during a courtesy visit from the Executive members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council, on Wednesday at the Academy.
He described journalists as the watchdogs of society and urged them to raise public awareness about reporting suspicious individuals to security agencies, asserting that the NDA and NUJ are partners in progress.
Earlier in the meeting, NUJ Chairman Alhaji Abdulgafar Alabelewe praised the Commandant for the high-quality training provided to the Armed Forces, acknowledging the crucial role journalists play in fostering a peaceful society.
According to Major General Ibrahim, “We are in the process of organizing a security helpline, which will soon be operational. This will allow us to tackle issues earlier if they arise. While we are not a security outfit per se, we are senior military officers committed to maintaining security in our society.”
He added, “I can confidently say that Kaduna State is much safer now than it was a few months ago. However, we still have further to go. Let’s unite our efforts to create a country we can all be proud of.”
He highlighted that many Nigerians living abroad express a desire to return home after a short while, reinforcing the need for collective efforts to improve the country.
“I appeal to the NUJ to help us promote the activities of the Nigerian Defence Academy. It’s essential to inform the public that we are not just a training institution but also a security organization, as we have Demonstration Battalions that provide support in case of any security breaches in Kaduna.
There is a connection between security and development; neither can thrive without the other. Therefore, we urge the public to report any suspicious activities to us.”
“Journalists are the watchdogs of society. We refer to you as the fourth estate of the realm, which is immensely significant. You not only educate but also inform and entertain the public. It is gratifying to finally meet you all, as I read newspapers regularly. I appreciate your presence here today. We are partners in progress, and we need the press to achieve our objectives, as what you communicate to the public shapes their perceptions.”
“The NDA is primarily a training institution founded over 60 years ago with the mission of training young Nigerians for leadership positions in the Armed Forces. Over time, we have expanded our scope to include the training of young officers from allied countries, thus promoting military diplomacy.
We have trained over 20,000 officers from Nigeria and abroad, including cadets from Burkina Faso, Congo, Liberia, and Cameroon. Additionally, with the establishment of our Postgraduate School about 20 years ago.
We are contributing to higher education, which has gained widespread acceptance. We have attracted participants from various regions, underscoring the integrity and credibility of our training. While we may encounter some challenges, I assure you we are actively working on resolving any existing problems.”
In his remarks, NUJ Chairman Alabelewe said, “We commend the Commandant for producing well-trained officers for the Armed Forces. However, we seek a stronger collaboration between the Academy and the NUJ to ensure accurate reporting of your activities. We also request a partnership with the NDA for capacity building for our members and to extend the Academy’s corporate social responsibility to our Union.”
