President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday in Kaduna, promised to improve the welfare and professional capacity of the Armed Forces for them to meet global standards.
“It is my desire to transform the Armed Forces to a standard obtained in any similar institutions in the advanced world in terms of welfare, equipment, training and professionalism,'' he stated.
The President made the promise during the graduation ceremony of Nigerian Navy cadets under the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Direct Short Service Course 20.
Represented by the Vice President, Mr Namadi Sambo, Jonathan said the Federal Government would support the Navy, which recently acquired a new vessel to evolve more programmes to attend high premium.
He, however, advised the Navy to cooperate with other maritime institutions for effective service delivery and to achieve the nation's security and socio-economic objectives.
Jonathan commended the NDA for training a specialised set of cadets to build a career in the Navy, urging them to maintain the standard.
The President also commended parents for encouraging their wards to enrol in the academy to serve their country.
The 85 officers, including 18 females, were commissioned into the Navy cadet of the NDA Direct Short Service programme.
The cadets, now Navy Lieutenants, were recruited into the force after graduating from various institutions of higher learning and had undergone nine-month training at the academy.
?The Vice President had earlier reviewed a parade and various military displays by the graduands before they were commissioned into the Navy.
The Minister of State for Defence, Mrs Olusola Obada, Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Olusheyi Petinrin, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ola Ibrahim were among dignitaries who witnessed the event.
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