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... Celebrating Brotherhood and Looking Ahead

... Honouring Fallen Comrades

The 47 Regular Course Alumni Association of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) celebrated a historic milestone on Saturday, September 20, 2025, as members gathered for their 30th anniversary reunion dinner at the Armed Forces Officers’ Mess, Asokoro, Abuja.

The event drew retired and serving senior38th anniversary celebration of the NMS 82 Alumni,  military officers, their families, and friends, as well as some of the instructors who helped shape the course’s formative years.

In his remarks, the Special Guest of Honour (SGoH) and the first Commandant of the course, Air Marshal Al-Amin Daggash (rtd), called on members of the 47 Regular Course of the NDA to remain steadfast in upholding the values of integrity, excellence, and patriotism while mentoring younger officers to strengthen Nigeria’s Armed Force.

The retired senior officer made the call in Abuja while delivering his goodwill message as the Special Guest of Honour at the 30th Anniversary Reunion Dinner and Garden Night of the 47 Regular Course, held on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the Armed Forces Officers’ Mess, Asokoro.

The former CDS, who was Commandant of the NDA when members of the 47 Regular Course were admitted as cadets in August 1995, expressed delight and nostalgia at witnessing their remarkable journey from cadetship to senior leadership positions in the Nigerian Armed Forces.

“Thirty years ago, I had the privilege of welcoming you to the Academy. Today, I stand before you filled with pride and gratitude, seeing how far you have come as accomplished officers serving our great nation,” he said.

He commended the course members for conceptualizing the reunion and setting up structures to support the widows and families of fallen colleagues who paid the ultimate price in service to the nation.

The former CDS urged members of the course to take on mentoring roles, emphasising that strong junior leadership was crucial to addressing Nigeria’s internal security challenges.

“As you continue to excel in your various endeavours, remember that your responsibility is not just to serve but also to guide and inspire the younger officers coming behind you. Your experience and wisdom are invaluable assets to shaping the future of our military,” he stated.

He further reminded them that their work was far from over, stressing that the nation would continue to depend on their intellect, leadership, and problem-solving skills to overcome pressing national challenges.

The former CDS also lauded the spouses of course members for their sacrifices and support throughout their careers, describing them as “home stabilisers” who kept the families strong while their husbands were away on national assignments.

While acknowledging the inauguration of the new executive committee of the 47 Regular Course Association earlier in the day, the retired general charged them to lead with humility, accountability, and vision.

“You are custodians of this association’s legacy. Your actions will determine its trajectory, whether positive or negative. Lead with integrity, seek constructive feedback, and be willing to correct mistakes. Remember, to whom much is given, much is expected,” he advised.

Delivering his welcome remarks, the President of the 47 Regular Course Alumni Association, Director-General (DG) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Brigadier-General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, expressed deep gratitude for the journey the course members had undertaken together over three decades.

“It is with deep joy, gratitude, and humility that I stand before you today to welcome our beloved SGoH, our first Commandant, some of our instructors, colleagues, our spouses, children, and guests to this reunion dinner,” Gen. Nafiu said.

He reflected on the journey of the course members, who joined the Academy as “young, raw, and energetic men” and were molded through rigorous military training into officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

“Those days forged in us loyalty, courage, endurance, and an undying bond of brotherhood — values that have carried us through life’s battles,” he added.

A solemn highlight of the evening was a minute of silence held in honour of course members who had paid the ultimate price in service to the nation or had passed on over the years.

“Their absence today is not a silence; it is a voice that speaks to us. It tells us that friendship is fragile, that time is fleeting, and that what endures is the bond we share,” Gen. Nafiu stated, urging attendees never to forget the sacrifices of their fallen colleagues.

The reunion was described as a “landmark moment” marking three decades of shared experiences and 25 years since the commissioning of members as officers.

“The story of the 47 Regular Course is not merely a chapter in the history of the NDA and the Armed Forces of Nigeria; it is a living testimony of resilience, sacrifice, and service,” Gen. Nafiu emphasized.

He called on members to look beyond nostalgia and focus on building a legacy of mentorship, community impact, and unity.

“If we harness the strength of our bond, we can build bridges of mentorship for the next generation, be a refuge for one another in times of need, and leave footprints so clear in our communities that history will say: 47 Regular Course walked here, and Nigeria was better for it,” he said.

The president also reminded members that their collective strength was rooted not in their military ranks but in their enduring ties of friendship and loyalty.

The event featured touching tributes, camaraderie, and nostalgia, as members shared memories of their early days at the NDA — from gruelling drills to lasting friendships. It featured moments of reflection, camaraderie, and tributes to fallen colleagues.

Prominent military veterans, spouses, and families were in attendance, adding colour and significance to the celebration.

The evening ended with a toast to friendship, loyalty, and continued service to the nation, as members celebrated their shared legacy and looked forward to future engagements.

The 47 Regular Course of the NDA was enlisted in August 1995 and has produced several senior officers currently holding key positions across the Nigerian Armed Forces and other sectors. The anniversary celebration marked three decades of their service to the nation.