By Olayemi Esan
Thirty years ago, in 1993, ladies and gentlemen officers who received officers cadets training for six months, from 2nd January 1993, to 2nd July, 1993, at the Infantry Centre and School (ICS, Jaji) started their military career with the same task in Nigerian Army – later began history of the Nigerian Army Direct Regular Course 04/1993 (DRC 04/93) and the DRC 04/93 Association December, 2022 in Lagos, Nigeria.
To mark the anniversary of the association with about 117 members, in which 20 have paid the supreme price while about 97 Nigerian Army Direct Regular Commission (DRC4/93 Association met for a special 30th Reunion and Get together ceremony with their spouses and Children in attendance, today, July 8th 2023 at the Scorpion Officers Mess, Abuja.
In his remarks, Chairman of the occasion, Brig General Tunde Oghena (Rtd) Commander Order of the Niger (CON), MFR,mni commended the association for contributing so much to the progress and development of the Nigerian Army to the extent that some of them are still consultants to the Army in different forms and shapes and for the way they pulled together and working together for the common good and welfare of all members.
He commended the association for keeping the relationship going for several years despite obstacles and challenges. He said, inspite of not too good commentaries from members of the Nigerian Army Direct Regular Commission (DRC4/93) during their training period, but, we have to do what we didin order to keep you in shape. For your future assignments.
There is no doubt, the association is very important because as they grow old, it requires to pull themselves together and spouses and children to be part experience.
He advised members that beyond the association they must put in place legacies that will sustain the association that will pass from their generation to their children and children.
They belong to the military ethics and that military ethics teaches them that they should be one another keeper and as they grow old they need a platform that will serve as a forum for unity and association and with that they can rub each other's back for the general welfare of the course.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Association Chairman Direct Regular Commission (DRC4/93), Brigadier-General Sani Kukasheka Usman (Rtd) noted that reunions and anniversary celebrations among coursemates hold great importance and significance, as they allow members and families to reconnect, reminisce about fond memories of the training years and after, and further enhance their relationship.
"It is also meant to strengthen the bond that develops among them. This is true for us at the DRC 04/93 Association because not only have we become friends, but we have also become brothers and sisters, with our families forming lasting connections,"he added.
He urged members to embrace this opportunity of reunion to reconnect, strengthen bond, and celebrate the enduring friendships forged over the years. "With a spirit of camaraderie and unity, let us also engage in constructive discussions that will help reposition our association to cater for the well-being of our members and contribute more meaningfully to national development, peace, and security in our beloved country, Nigeria. Together, we can make a difference," he stressed.
Brigadier-General Usman (Rtd) also said some members have achieved so much during their military service careers and lives, meriting honours and awards and attaining various ranks, with one of them attaining the rank of a two-star general in the Nigerian Army, that is, Major General Abdulkadir Muhammed who handed over command today at Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Corp.
"Similarly, many of us have held numerous command, staff, and instructional appointments, attained esteemed Corps Commander and Directorship positions, and made indelible marks in the military and other endeavours. Therefore, we have every reason to celebrate and be grateful to God for the privilege and respective opportunities. We also owe a debt of gratitude to all those who did not spare the hammer and anvil in the arduous quest to shape our careers, some of whom are here today,"he noted.
The highlight of the ceremony was a minute silence was observed for 20 coursemates out of 117 who have passed away.
The Direct Regular Course 04/1993 (DRC-04/93) Association is the association of those ladies and gentlemen officers who received officers cadets training for six months, from 02/01/93 to 02/07/93, at the Infantry Centre and School (ICS, Jaji). Therefore, history of the Nigerian Army Direct Regular Course 04/1993 (DRC 04/93) and the DRC 04/93 Association are intertwined.
However, the making of the DRC-4/93 Association started with the decision of the Army Council in 1990 to grant Short Service Commission (SSC), Direct Regular Commission (DRC) and Executive Commission (EC) to graduate soldiers of the Nigerian Army.