The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Alumni Association’s 41st Regular Course has praised former Head of State General Abdusalami Abubakar for laying the groundwork for Nigeria’s democracy.
Abdusalami is a member of the National Defense Academy’s 41st Regular Course.
The award was given as part of a celebration of the ex-military leader, who turned 80 on Monday.
The former Head of State was described as a fine gentleman officer by the officers, who called him a “accomplished General and seasoned Statesman of repute.”
The association stated in a statement signed by President Lancelot Anyanya and Publicity Secretary Faruq Baba-Inna that the organization’s continued existence was due to the commitment of Abudusalami and other officers.
They claim that the organization’s 33-year existence as an Alumni association is due to the outstanding work done by then-Brigadier Abdulsalami Abubakar and other outstanding senior officers when he chaired the Armed Forces Selection Board for the 41 Regular Course.
Major General Abdulsalami Abubakar was appointed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) by divine providence to preside over the convocation and formal commissioning ceremonies as officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces on behalf of the then Head of State, Commander in Chief.
“Through providential circumstances, the senior citizen, Abudusalami Abubakar, rose to become the nation’s Commander in Chief,” it continued.
“He bequeathed the country’s current democratic dispensation to the nation while spearheading the nation’s military as Commander In-Chief.”
“It was an obvious fact that the Almighty’s hand was at work in the life of the Association to make history individually and collectively as a Course,” the statement said, adding that the Association is blessed to be linked to Abubakar’s iconic personality, whom the Association regards as its father.
“On the auspicious occasion of his 80th birthday on 13th June 2022, the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) 41st Regular Course Alumni Association warmly and heartily felicitates with a fine Gentleman Officer of the finest cut, Accomplished General, and Seasoned Statesman.”
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“We note that the foundation of our connection and ongoing relationship as an Alumni Association can be traced back to the excellent work done by then-Brigadier Abdulsalami Abubakar and other very fine senior officers as Chairman of the Armed Forces Selection Board for the 41 Regular Course about 33 years ago.”
“By divine providence, Major General Abdulsalami Abubakar presided over our convocation and formal commissioning ceremonies as officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces on behalf of the then Head of State, Commander in Chief.”
“In providential circumstances, a senior citizen became our Commander in Chief, from which our country’s current democratic dispensation arose.
“Clearly, the Almighty’s hand has been at work in shaping our individual and collective history as a Course, which is inextricably linked to this iconic figure whom the Association regards as its father.”
“Against this backdrop, the 41RC Alumni Association, United in Friendship for Progress, salutes His Excellency, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, GCFR, on the occasion of his birth anniversary, with best wishes for good health.”
“It is also our hope that his illustrious legacy of public service and peacemaking will continue to benefit our country through his wise counsel and our own ongoing commitment to national duty, both in and out of active duty.”
