Brigadier General Usman Ahmad has officially assumed duty as the new Commandant of the Depot Nigerian Army (DNA), Zaria, succeeding Major General Ahmadu Mohammed during a formal handing-over ceremony held on Tuesday at the institution.
Before his appointment, Brig.-Gen. Ahmad served as Commander of the 27 Task Force Brigade in Buni Gari, Yobe State.
The change of command marks a significant leadership transition at the Depot Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Army’s premier military training institution responsible for the basic training of soldiers.
In his farewell address, the outgoing Commandant, Maj.-Gen. Ahmadu Mohammed, expressed appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, for the opportunity to serve and contribute to the training and development of personnel during his tenure.
He also commended the Commandants of other Nigerian Army institutions within Chindit Cantonment, including the Nigerian Military School and the Army School of Physical Training, for their cooperation and support throughout his administration.
Maj.-Gen. Mohammed further praised the dedication, professionalism and commitment of the institution’s staff officers, instructors and personnel, noting that their efforts played a vital role in the successes recorded under his leadership. He urged them to extend the same level of loyalty and cooperation to his successor to sustain the institution’s tradition of excellence.
In his inaugural address, Brig.-Gen. Ahmad thanked the Chief of Army Staff and the Nigerian Army leadership for the confidence reposed in him, describing his appointment as a privilege and a call to greater service.
He pledged to build on the achievements of his predecessor by sustaining high training standards and producing professionally competent, disciplined and battle-ready soldiers capable of meeting the Nigerian Army’s evolving operational requirements.
The new Commandant also reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing the quality of military training to ensure the Depot Nigerian Army continues to produce personnel equipped to address contemporary security challenges.
The ceremony featured the signing of handing-over notes, the formal transfer of the command flag, the decoration of the new Commandant with the Depot Nigerian Army insignia, group photographs, and the lowering and hoisting of the command flags, symbolising the official transfer of leadership.
Senior military officers, commandants of Nigerian Army institutions within Chindit Cantonment, staff officers and personnel of the Depot Nigerian Army attended the ceremony
