The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy, has lauded the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) for its gender inclusivity.
Kennedy gave the commendation on Wednesday during an official visit to the NDA headquarters, Afaka-Kaduna.
She explained that her visit to the NDA was aimed at motivating and inspiring female cadets, as well as encouraging them to break glass ceilings and push beyond societal boundaries.
She emphasised the importance of gender equality and women’s empowerment, urging the cadets to embrace their unique strengths and abilities.
She commended the cadets for their bravery and resilience, reminding them that they were pioneers in a male-dominated field.
”they are here as mothers and feature mothers of the armed forces actively participating in the defence territorial integrity of Nigeria,” the minister said..
Kennedy pledged her support and commitment to ensuring that women’s voices were heard and valued in the military and beyond, inspiring the cadets to become future leaders and change-makers.
She added that the visit to the NDA was not the beginning of their partnership with the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
This, Kennedy said, was because she had visited places like Adamawa, Jos, Kano, Jigawa, Anambra, and other states and planted 500 hectares of rice farms in partnership with the Nigerian armed forces to support women in farming.
The minister lamented that in this ever-evolving world, women were losing their self-confidence due to gender-based violence, and many other maltreatments.
She, therefore, called on women to be strong, stand firm and fear nobody while respecting people so as to protect their children and future.
Kennedy also urged women to be productive in the society and ensure being part of the inclusivity through acquiring education for a better future.
Similarly, the Commandant of the NDA, Maj.-Gen. John Ochai, thanked the minister for the visit.
Ochai said that the minister’s visit was remarkable, because it coincided with the day of her one year in office.
He explained that her visit, which was to motivate the female cadets, would be a morale booster for them to continue striving for success in their sojourn in the military.
He also stated that the NDA, in line with the minister’s philosophy, pursues issues of equality , inclusiveness and diversity.
“Of the five areas of discrimination in the United Nations, gender is number one, and at the NDA, we adhere to the standards of equality among different groups.
”Whether gender, ethnic or religious, it doesn’t matter to us,” Ochai said.
The commandant further said that with the minister’s motivation to the female cadets, there was no doubt that they would work hard and aspire to be the best and fulfill their God-given potential.
“In our lifetime, we will love to see women commanding air force bases, becoming Brigade Commanders and even General Officers Commanding.
“In not too distant future, we want to see a female as a service chief,”he added.
Speaking further, Ochai said the ministry has many areas in the NDA suitable for advancing their partnership through many associations that have to do with women.
He listed some of the associations to include: NDA Officers Wives Association, Soldiers Wives Association, the female soldiers and officers, and female civilian staff who are either lecturers or non academic staff.
Ochai assured that the NDA would ensure partnership with the ministry by driving its policies through support for women to attain the level to which they have the capacity to reach.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister, who later toured the academy, also donated toiletries and sanitary pads to the female cadets.