Three hundred and seventy three cadets graduated from the Direct Short Service Course 25 at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry in Jaji, Kaduna State.
The Minister of Defence, retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi, who supervised the passing out parade, charged the cadets to be loyal to the country and the military authorities.
Magashi, who was represented by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, said that loyalty of the officers would help in the fight against criminality and banditry in the country.
Magashi also admonished the newly-commissioned officers to understand and abide by the extant condition of service of the armed forces, assuring them that they would be exposed to further training.
He said that the entry of the new officers into the armed forces was significant, considering the security challenges the country was facing.
According to him, the cadets are entering into the army at a period when Nigeria is consolidating on the gains of years of confronting various security challenges.
“The Nigerian Army, in conjunction with the other services and other security agencies, has been engaged in intensive combat against terrorist groups, especially in the North-East.
“We are involved in various operations in various parts of the country, especially the North-West, North-Central and the South West geo-political zone.”
The new officers were conferred with ranks of lieutenant by the CDS.
