Abuja: Members of the 18th Regular Course Alumni of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) are commemorating the legacy and accomplishments of their members on the 50th anniversary to mark their entrance into the Nigerian military. In a statement by its President, retired Air Commodore Isaac Olufemi, the association will gather on July 4, to mark a golden milestone since their journey into military service began.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Olufemi stated that the alumni, comprising 149 young cadets from across Nigeria, began their training at NDA Kaduna on June 30, 1975. He highlighted the course’s notable figures, including retired Brig.-Gen. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, who is recognized as a leader in multi-faith harmony and peacebuilding. Olufemi remarked that the Sultan, with the blessing of Almighty God, exceeded all expectations and attained the highest honour in the spiritual world, becoming Nigeria’s spiritual leader in the Islamic realm.
Olufemi further mentioned that retired Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, another distinguished alumnus, served as the 22nd Chief of Army Staff and significantly transformed the Nigerian Army during his tenure. Additionally, the late His Royal Majesty Homun Honest Irmiya Stephen, Kwire Mana Kpafrato II, the Hama Bachama, played a prominent role in the affairs of the Alumni before his passing, showcasing the course’s esteemed members.
The alumni association also plans to honor fallen colleagues, including Cadet C.O. Okupa, who died during physical training, and those who perished in the 1992 Ejigbo C-130 air crash. Presently, only 47 of the original 149 members remain. This reunion serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of NDA Course 18 and their substantial contributions to Nigeria’s military history.
