Senate President Goodwill Akpabio, has commended the National Defence College (NDC) for fulfilling its objectives of training strategic military leaders on national security management.
Akpabio gave the commendation at the Graduation Dinner for the participants of NDC Course 32, on Wednesday in Abuja.
He was represented by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy, Sen. Gbenga Daniel.
Akpabio said the college has been playing multidimensional roles not just nationally, but also internationally, and pledged continued support to the institution.
“Without any doubt, the National Defence College has been playing strategic roles in leadership training, national security management, defence planning and policy, joint military operations, international relations, research and analysis.
“”The college also trains leaders in strategic communication, national interest and policy cooperation, crisis management and of course, collaboration and cooperation in all applications.
“Without any doubt, this great institution has continued to fulfill all the strategic objectives.
“I must especially appreciate President Bola Tinubu, for the manner in which he has singled out security and provided support.
“I have no doubt that with training like this, before long, we would have created an environment that is safe and secure for our country to thrive,” he said.
Earlier, the Commandant of the college, Rear Adm. Olumuyiwa Olotu, said it had transformed from a national to an international institution, with the graduating participants drawn from 20 countries including Nigeria.
Olotu expressed delight for presiding over the second graduation since his assumption of duty as the commandant of the prestigious and highly revered citadel of higher learning.
He also thanked Tinubu for his sterling leadership and relentless support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria generally, and the college in particular.
According to Olutu, the college has embarked on a series of infrastructural projects such as environmentally friendly and renewable sources of energy.
This, he said, would reduce the complete dependence on the national grid and fossil fuels.
It would also guarantee uninterrupted power supply in the college for a more conducive and responsive learning environment.
“The first phase of this project will be inaugurated during the graduation ceremony of Course 32 in a few days,” he said.
The commandant congratulated the participants for weathering the storm of the rigorous course, saying that the past 11 months had been a difficult time for them.
Olutu assured the participants that they would soon understand that the course was designed to test their resilience and ability to take difficult and complex decisions in times of uncertainty, stress and strain.
According to him, the strategic environment is volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous.
Olutu said, “Your ability to pull through this complexity and uncertainty is what makes you a strategic leader.
“I hope that the knowledge and experience gained while on the course, will distinguish you in whatever leadership position you find yourselves.”