The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), says it has recorded a lot of successes in military training and academic activities in 2024.

The Commandant of NDA, Maj.-Gen. John Ochai, said this at the Nigerian Defence Academy Social Activities (NDASA), held at the headquarters of the academy Afaka  on Friday in Kaduna.

Ochai said the essence of NDASA was to end training activities of the year.

He said the 2024 NDASA was unique because the academy marked 60 years of existence from 1964-2024.

Also of significance, Ochai said,  NDA had passed out the largest number of officers commissioned into the Armed Forces of Nigeria in 2024.

Equally, he said, in the same year (2024), the academy had the largest number of officers trained outside the country.

He emphasised that the NDA does not only train leaders for the Nigerian Armed Forces, but those for the Nigerian nation and humanity at large.

“After five years of training, we imbibe in officers leadership qualities that are everlasting.

”The traditions, ethos, characters that we instill in our cadets follow them forever and become very useful in all spheres of human endeavors,” Ochai said.

Mr Martins Amaram, Country Security Manager, Nigeria Breweries, PLC , who was the Special Guest of Honour, said the event fostered unity, cultural awareness and comradeship among the cadets and the larger community.

Amaram said, “The academy has always been a beacon of excellence in producing military leaders  for integrity, resilience and capacity to face in a dynamic and complex world .

“Beyond academics and military training the academy still values cultural respect and social engagement, recognising the diversity of our great country. Nigeria.”

He commended NDA for creating the platform where cadets can appreciate the rich cultures and build bonds that transit borders.

Amaram added, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria are playing a critical role in ensuring the stability and progress of our nation. “

He urged the academy to continue to record more successes in its mission of excellence and service to the nation.

Report says that awards were given to deserving soldiers who distinguished themselves in 2024.

report says that 22 soldiers were decorated from Warrant Officer(WO) to Master Warrant Officers(MWO). (NAN)

By David Torough, Abuja

The Acting Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), Prof. Stephen Abah has promised a stronger collaboration with the Memorial Hospital, Ugbokolo for better health services to the people.

Prof. Abah stated this when he received a team of management of the hospital led by the Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director, Dr.

The Vice Chancellor expressed his profound gratitude and thanked the management of the hospital for the visit and described the CEO of the Hospital, Dr. Ogbodo as a long time friend who has a quest for excellence.

On his part, Dr Mark Ogbodo, who is a FUHSO Ambassador and the Immediate Past Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Medical Association, Benue State Branch as well as the Immediate Past Secretary of the Association of the Nigerian Authors, Benue State Chapter said that the visit was to congratulate Prof.

Dr. Ogbodo who described Prof. Abah as a great achiever and mentor to many and whose achievements are commendable, presented to him, on behalf of the Hospital, an Award of Excellence, in recognition of his exceptional achievements and contributions to academic and medical excellence in Nigeria, examplary leadership prowess and in appreciation of his countless courtesies extended to Lydia Memorial Hospital.

He added that the Hospital’s vision is to ensure a complete state of well-being of patients and promote healthy medical practices in all forms with the mission to provide affordable and easily accessible excellent healthcare services through God’s gifted hands in the purest forms is also poised to deliver the best healthcare services to the people.

Other dignitaries at the occasion were the University’s Bursar, Librarian, Registrar and other members of the university management.

The bill to rename the Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, after the second civilian governor of the state, Rev. Fr Moses Adasu, on Thursday passed second reading during plenary at the Benue Assembly.

The Majority Leader, Mr Saater Tiseer (APC/Mbagwa), said that the provisions of the assembly’s Standing Orders XII, Rule 83, limited the second reading to the general merits and principles of a bill and not its details.

Tiseer said that the bill was aimed at changing the maiden name of the university to Adasu as a mark of honour as the founder of the university.

“In 1992, the second civilian governor of Benue, the late Rev. Fr. Moses Adasu, successfully established the Benue State University.

“He swiftly set up a steering committee led by the late Chief Edwin Ogbu, which ensured the take-off of the university in the 1992/1993 academic session.

“The Benue State University became a reality under the watch of the late Adasu, whose tenure lasted for barely two years before it was truncated by another military intervention.

“32 years after its establishment, BSU has fulfilled the dream of its founding fathers by providing the Benue child with easy access to university education and employment opportunities as well as highly trained manpower.

“Relatedly, the bill for a law to establish the Benue University of Agriculture, Science, and Technology, Ihugh, also passed second reading,” he said.

The majority leader said that the bill was aimed at establishing a professional university in the state as a replacement for the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi.

He said that the federal university has been restructured into a conventional university offering courses in both the physical sciences, arts, and the humanities.

According to him, the proposed university was a timely and transformative initiative.

Tiseer stated that the university would undertake research in modern agriculture, harness local potentials in technological innovations, and partner with advanced universities in other climes.

The majority added that it would and equip the youth with entrepreneurial skills needed to drive economic growth and development.

He said it was in addition to availing the Benue child of more options and access to higher education in the changing world order.

The Minority Leader, Mr Michael Audu, seconded the two motions and the bills second reading.

The Clerk of the House, Mr John Hwande, therefore, read the bills for the second time.

The Speaker, Mr Hyacinth Dajo, in his ruling, referred the bills to the House Standing Committee on Higher Education for further legislative scrutiny. (NAN)