No fewer than 247 students of the Senior Course 44 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State have graduated from the College.

They are made up of 111 army officers, 69 naval officers, 42 air force officers, 10 students from paramilitary organisations and Ministries, Department and Agencies as well as 15 international students.

They went through 48 weeks intensive training, leading to the award of Pass Staff Course (PSC).

According to the Commandant of the College, Air Vice Marshall (AVM) Olurotimi Tuwase, during the graduation ceremony today, July 24, the international students on the Senior Course 44 were from Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Chad, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo and Zambia.

The Commandant thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, who presided over the ceremony, for his unflinching support to the College, saying that students from the prestigious school have been sufficiently trained and equipped to cope with most challenges in their career, with the staff and leadership skills acquired in the College.

‘‘The College has laid a solid professional foundation for you to make informed decisions.’’

This was even as President Buhari pledged that his government would continue to provide the needed support required to wipe out terrorists and insurgents off the face of the earth.

‘‘The Armed Forces of Nigeria are working tirelessly to enhance their combat effectiveness, operational capability and training necessary to eliminate the threats, in synergy with other institutions and nations.

‘‘The response of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, militancy, kidnapping as well as the activities of separatists and armed militias amongst others have been commendable.

‘‘This government will continue to provide the required guidance and support to ensure that the desired results are achieved.”

The President said that most of the security challenges facing the world today are both asymmetric and trans-border in nature, involving mainly non-state actors in different regions and sub-regions of the world.

He added that the West African sub-region and indeed our beloved continent of Africa are not immune to these threats.

‘‘We have witnessed recent terrorist attacks in Nigeria bearing the hallmark of national and trans-border insurgents trying to cause havoc in Nigeria as well as in neighbouring countries.

‘‘It will be part of your duty to confront these terrorists and insurgents and wipe them off the face of the earth and bring peace to our countries.”

President Buhari described the specifics of their training which focused primarily on countering security threats as very important, adding that combating these prevalent security threats effectively demands that African countries continue to work together at all levels; be it tactical, operational and strategic.

Appraising the ongoing collaboration of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger Republic, Benin Republic and Chad in a multinational operation to combat the Boko Haram Insurgency in the Lake Chad region, the Nigerian leader said it has been productive, commendable and successful.

“The synergy achieved in operating together must have been enhanced by an understanding of the doctrines of the cooperating forces.

‘‘This occasion provides me another opportunity to briefly reflect on the state of the Nigerian nation, particularly regarding national security. The last 12 years have been very challenging for our nation, considering the different security threats that have besieged the country.

‘‘Our government is poised to promote national security and development, as well as to remain committed to promoting a vision of a secure, safe, just, peaceful, prosperous and strong Nigeria.

‘‘We shall be employing all elements of our national power in ensuring security, a just society, peaceful coexistence, national unity and sustainable development while promoting our good standing internationally.’’

President Buhari expressed delight that amongst the graduating students were international officers from sister African countries, saying that he is confident they enjoyed the friendliness of the country during their stay.

Describing Nigeria as still one of the most hospitable and enjoyable countries to visit and stay, despite her diversity and challenges, the President enjoined the Course 44 fellows to keep fond memories of the over 40-year college, which prepares officers for tactical and operational level leadership, focusing on national security, joint planning processes, inter-agency cooperation and operations as well as multinational integration.

He told the graduating students that their participation in the Course was a further testimony of national security aspirations to promote international peace, friendship and cooperation.

‘‘To the graduating students from Nigeria’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies, you have indeed justified the confidence reposed in you by your respective organizations. Congratulations!

‘‘We must specially commend the spouses of the graduands here for keeping the home front and without whose sacrifices there would have been no celebrations for many here today.”

President Buhari commended the Commandant and his team for transforming the graduating students into highly refined products and for the ongoing work to expand and upgrade the facilities of the College.  This is to provide a conducive and amenable environment that is fit for purpose.

‘‘Your efforts are maintaining the status of the College as a mid-level military training institution of repute.  I therefore commend the College Board as well as the Commandant and staff for these remarkable achievements.

‘‘This government will continue to support the College in its developmental strides.  My administration will also continue to give priority to the training and welfare of officers and men of our Armed Forces.

‘‘You, the graduating students, should realize that the nation has made a lot of investment in your training up to this stage of your respective careers.

‘‘I am confident that you have been sufficiently groomed in character and learning to take up the challenges you will be confronted with hereafter.

‘‘For the Nigerian graduating students amongst you, the graduation today is a clarion call to duty in service to our country.  Nigeria expects the very best from you in terms of loyalty, commitment to duty and service to your fatherland.

‘‘Therefore, you must endeavour to make honest and positive contributions in the discharge of the constitutional responsibilities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, your strategic Ministries, Department and Agencies and be good ambassadors of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College.”

At the event, President Buhari presented PSC certificates and awards to select graduands as well as the best graduating students.

Major Sunday Olayinka Atomode, bagged three awards namely Minister of Defence Award for highest overall score, Chief of Defence Staff Award for Department of Joint Studies and Chief of Army Staff Award for Department of Land Warfare.

Lt.-Cdr. Godwin Emeka Okutue won the Chief of Naval Staff Award for Department of Marine Warfare, Squadron Leader Peter Chika Echeazu bagged the Chief of Air Staff Award for Department of Air Warfare while the Commandant’s Award for best non-military student was awarded to CDIO AM Ajiamah, and Major Errol Donkoh from Ghana for best international student.

Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has Advised Nigerians to beware of what he called “ touts” in uniform of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) that are going about duping people in the name of issuing international passports to them.

The minister, who queried the Passport Control Officer of the Alausa Passport Office of the Nigerian Immigration Service in Lagos, Mrs. B. L. Bukar, today, July 13 for breaching due process in the issuance of passports, called on Nigerians to follow due process in their passport application.

He asked them to shun patronizing touts who will end up disrupting the standardized procedure, saying: “I have said it for the umpteenth time that Nigerians must stop patronizing touts either in uniforms or in civilian clothing. The only way for you to apply for your passport is online.

“The attempt to get passports on-the-go and boycott the standardize collection timeline of three weeks for reissue and six weeks for fresh application after capturing, which is the main reason why many patronize touts, will only end up in disappointment.

“Our appointment-based system for capturing applicants data and standardized passport collection procedure has made nonsense of promise by touts to deliver passports to applicants who patronize them. Patronizing them will only end in disappointment.”

An applicant had complained on Facebook about the application process being cumbersome, saying: “after I completed my application and chose today for my data capturing appointment, I printed every necessary documents, however, on my arrival here, I was asked to start filling a manual form again, which I had filled online and printed already.”

However, the Minister, who came across such complain in the Facebook, asked the Passport Control Officer at the station, Mrs. B. L. Bukar, to explain the breach of due process.

According to the minister, such request on applicant is strange.

The officer who allegedly sold the obnoxious form and made the request for manual filling was identified and subsequently queried.

Addressing the applicants, the Minister pleaded with Nigerians to totally avoid the urge to patronize touts, saying that if they cooperate with government, the ongoing passport reforms will work and the system will be improved overall.

Ogbeni Aregbesola told the officers on duty that they are servants of the people and this must be reflected in their attitude at work and the way they relate with passport applicants. As such, they should avoid creating false gridlock that frustrates and exasperates the people.

Aregbesola said that the earlier visit to Kirikiri Custodial Centres and the Alausa Passport office is part of his effort at ensuring that the Ministry and the agencies serve Nigerians to the best of her abilities and to keep the agencies on their toes, knowing that he may walk into any of our service centres at any time.

Emir of Daura, Dr. Faruk Umar Faruk, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari not to be disturbed by insults and criticisms from Nigerians.

Dr. Faruk, who received the President who was on Sallah homage to his palace today, July 13, emphasized the need for the President to increase his patience and tolerance as he begins to countdown, knowing that the ultimate reward for all his sacrifice will come from God.

“All Nigerians, both good and bad, know you are doing your best. In life you will have people who like you, and those who do not like you. If you have many wives, or many children, they will not like you equally.

“Some are insulting you and belittling your efforts now. Don’t worry. They will do the same thing to the next president.

“Keep doing your best, and remain tolerant as a leader. In Daura here, even the blind or the leader of all the blinds know that you have made a great difference. We are grateful, and proud of you.”

The Emir thanked the President for the infrastructural and institutional developments in the state, saying generations will remember and remain grateful to President Buhari.

This was even as the President advised parents to inculcate right values in children, including deep fear of God, respect for constituted authorities and living a purposeful life through continuous education.

He also charged the youth to seek education, not for government jobs which are unavailable but to arm themselves with skill and ability to fight poverty and to meet the needs of the 21st Century.

The President said that more time should be given to the coaching of the future leaders, with basic knowledge of moral values, as the fast changing world, driven by new technology, would be more competitive and demanding.

“I was locked up for more than three years, after leading the country. At that point, I realised and I told my children that your net worth is what is in your head, not what you have acquired in life.

“My focus has always been on training the children to be relevant wherever they find themselves. I told my children, particularly the girls, that they can only get married after getting a first degree.

“They already know that I am not leaving anything for anyone to inherit. My greatest legacy to the children is to ensure they are properly educated.”

The President noted that the younger children should be guided and taught history, as they would find it hard to be patriotic, responsible and respectful, without a thorough understanding of their backgrounds.

“Whoever does not have a good sense of history will easily make mistakes.

“We should ensure the children get proper education. The knowledge they acquire should not be towards getting government jobs.  We don’t have jobs in government anymore. With technology, governments are becoming more smaller, nimble and efficient.

“Emphasis should now be on skills acquisition and competence in creation and deployment of technology. During the Covid-19, we asked all level 12 downward to stay at home, and surprisingly the systems worked effectively.”

President Buhari said that he will be more regular in visits, preparatory to the handing over in May, 2023, adding that the prolonged absence was due to the demands of his office.

“This is the longest I have been away from home. Infact, the Emir took to the court of public opinion at the prayer ground, when he openly told everyone that I had not visited Daura for close to a year.”

President Buhari said all Nigerians must make sacrifices to move the country forward, especially the public servants, calling for more selflessness and inclusion.

“At the end, it is only God that can reward your efforts, not man.”

In his remarks, Governor Aminu Bello Masari listed the achievements of the President to include social security, which was created to cater for the poor, and ensure that they receive some money at the end of every month.

“No government in the history of this country has done more to reduce poverty like President Buhari’s administration. He asked religious and community leaders to bring enlightenment to bear on successful government programs such as the Social Investment Program, SIP through which 120,000 poor citizens in 12 Local Government Areas of the state receive a monthly payment of N5,000 and this is happening in all the states.

“Today, we have over 863,000 children in the state being fed under the school feeding program. This has created 10,000 jobs for women cooks, 14,000 young men and women enrolled in N-Power.

“We have food vendors who are engaged and earning their livelihood. All the foolish talk on social media is by those who only think of themselves. Our elites are never happy or appreciative until something gets to their pockets.”

Masari said that security in the country had improved considerably, compared to when the President came into power, reminding the Daura Emirate Council, title holders, political leaders in the state and citizens across the entire federation to remember the bombings if mosques and churches before 2015 that had hindered worship, problems which explained are no longer with us.

Human beings forget easily. It is true that we have not reached where we want, but efforts are being made to ameliorate the situation. Look at the size of our security compared to the population, you will know we all have to be involved in securing the country.”