National Assembly has intensified plans to ease the smooth transition of Military-Focused Schools graduates into the Nigeria Defence Academy, NDA.
The development is part of a strategy to enhance the combat strength of the armed forces.
The four military-focused schools are the Nigeria Military School Zaria, Kaduna, Air Force and the Military School Jos, in Plateau State.
Others are Air Force Military School (Girls) Jos, Plateau State and the Navy Military School Ikot-Ituen, in Akwa Ibom State.
The member representing Doguwa/Tudun-Wada Federal Constituency of Kano State, Alhaji Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, disclosed this on the sidelines of the 67th Passing Out Parade, POP, of the Nigeria Military School, NMS, in Zaria.
Ado-Doguwa said the bill to amend the Nigeria Defence Academy Act had passed second reading.
According to him, the bill seeks among others, the seamless transition of students from the four military schools into the NDA.
The lawmaker noted that most students of the military schools had acquired some of the basic arms handling and military skills, adding that they should be encouraged to pursue a career in the military.
This, according to him, will enhance the combat strength of the armed forces, while assuring that the bill will have an overwhelming support of the National Assembly.
NAN reports that the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant-General Olufemi Oluyede had restated the Nigerian Army’s commitment to build a well-educated, professionally competent and future-ready army, through strategic investment in education.
The COAS, who was the Reviewing Officer and Special Guest of Honour at the ceremony, was represented by the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Major-General Mayirenso Saraso.
Oluyede said there is a window of opportunity for graduands, who intend to pursue a career in the military, to get placement into the NDA.
However, the COAS explained that the criteria for admission into the NDA were spelt out, stressing that such criteria is applicable to all Nigerians.
He added that the graduating students are encouraged to apply, because they have a better advantage, following the preliminary military training and orientation they obtained at the NMS.
In an interview, the Chairman, Parents and Instructors Association, NMS, Mr Ikenna Madueke, urged government to expand budgetary provisions for military training toward accommodating more cadets to bolster the manpower needs of the armed forces.
Madueke reiterated that boys and girls from the military schools receive both academic and military training.
He noted that they would become masters in arms and martial arts by the time they graduate from the school.
“As parents, we are looking at ways where these military training can be harnessed, through their integration into the NDA, just as the global trend,’’ he said. (NAN)
