Major-General John Ochai assumed office as the 32nd Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, (NDA) Kaduna – the pioneer Military Academy in West Africa on July 26. His appointment was sequel to the recent redeployment of some senior officers of the Nigerian Army by the Chief of Army staff (CoAS), Lt. Gen. T.A. Lagbaja. General Ochai took over from Major-General Ibrahim Manu Yusuf who bowed out after 33 years of meritorious service to the nation. May I together with your family, friends and well-wishers sincerely congratulate you on this new appointment. The Nigerian Defence Academy is an educational cum military preparatory ground for mentoring, impartation of knowledge, respect, excellence, valour and inculcation of discipline in cadet/officers to excel in their chosen career and call to serve our father land. Therefore, this position is strategic to driving significantly the overall growth and development of the entire military. Competence, character, commitment, capacity and overall experience as one who has held high ranking positions and served in various capacities was a major determinant of this appointment.
The Commandant is saddled with the responsibility of driving the vision of the NDA which is, “to produce officers with broad-based training in both military and academic subjects designed to serve as a foundation for the future progressive development of officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces.” He has the sole responsibility of accomplishing with his team the mission of NDA – “to provide each officer cadet with the knowledge, skills and values necessary to meet the requirements of a military officer through military, academic and character development.” Other responsibilities of the Commandant for quality delivery is to oversee and manage the operations, administration, and training programs of the NDA. The Commandant holds a senior leadership position within the academy and is responsible for a range of other duties, including: providing strategic leadership and guidance to the academy, ensuring effective management of resources, personnel, and infrastructure. The office establishes and implement policies and procedures to maintain discipline, efficiency, and effectiveness within the institution. Finally, the Commandant has the responsibility to produce highly intelligent, meticulous, knowledgeable and disciplined cadets whose role is to secure lives and properties of citizens. Therefore, with the appointment of Gen. Ochai, this is a task that must be accomplished. One will easily concede to the fact that the task is enormous nonetheless; it is not insurmountable. With the right strategic approach and reliable lieutenants; the tasks can be accomplished.
As a former Director of Operations, Army, it is no longer a question of learning the ropes of managing men and materials but hitting the ground running immediately. There is an urgent need to ponder on the enormous task ahead and define the urgent immediate and long term strategies to achieve optimum results. With his immense experience and expertise in strategic planning the Commandant will leverage on these strengths to raise the academy to an enviable height. The Commandant is therefore called upon to commence immediate actions aimed at repositioning the academy better and even more than he met it. Expectedly, the atmosphere in and around the academy on assumption of duty remains that of frenzied expectations of how his initial steps and decisions will directly impact on the existing situations in the academy. It is worthy of note that on assumption of office, “the new Commandant expressed his readiness to learn, noting that every appointment is an opportunity for learning and improvement.” He informed that, “his appointment is a privilege to serve and assured also that his primary responsibility is towards the cadets and staff development.” That singular act of commitment to learn, improve and serve is a trust. A trust to drive new ideas and innovations in military education as represented by NDA. A trust to genuinely see to the welfare of the management, staff and growth of cadets of various arms of the military in the academy. A trust to sustain academic excellence. This is a burden and onerous responsibility the Commandant should discharge without fail.
Insecurity has more than ever become a major source of concern and threat to our peaceful coexistence. Violent extremism of Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) to banditry and kidnapping for ransom and unknown gunmen in southeast are threats posing danger to our wellbeing as a nation. Therefore, it is expected that the quality of officers produced by the academy will serve as resourceful panacea to the above problems confronting the nation. The Nigerian Defence Academy is a revered military institution built on a hill; thus its brand and name must be sustained. The culture of excellence, disciple, respect and hard work must not be taken for granted. Your management, officers, men and staff should be treated with respect and dignity and also carried along in decision making. It takes selflessness, sacrifice and courage to join the military or work in a military environment. Therefore, salaries, allowances and sundry entitlements of staff and personnel should be paid as at when due. This will serve as a motivation for personnel and staff to give in their best. You can make a huge difference by being different in approach to leadership issues and management. It is essential to judiciously utilise both human and material resources at your disposal for the good of the academy. What bears glowing testimonies for leaders in times of their exit or absence from position of authority are the remarkable and indelible foot-prints they left in the sands of time. Leave yours too.
There should be a renewed functional synergy between the Nigerian Defence Academy and other conventional Nigerian Universities on research and development. Working in close collaboration with other chosen Nigerian tertiary institutions on information and knowledge sharing should be encouraged. This will improve and enhance the already established Army/military-civil relations. Cadet academic researches should genuinely interrogate societal behaviours driving insecurity and crisis. Finding solutions to climate change related issues, environmental and bio-diversity challenges are priorities NDA should seek to resolve through research. Creating value in technological advancement in sciences, agriculture, military soft and hard wares are products of advancements which military institutions like NDA should pursue vigorously. The academy should work to unearth what drives individuals especially the youth to engage in acts capable of threatening national stability? Why do communities enjoy close relationship and collaboration with those seen as threats to peace and stability of the nation to the point of conveniently tolerating, harbouring and accommodating them to the detriment of societal peace, growth and development? With Major-General John Ochai at the helm, sustaining the culture of military excellence, quality education and laying the foundation for patriotism and needed drive for the protection of our territorial integrity is sure.
Maj. Gen. Ochai is a member of 39 Regular Course and a highly decorated officer of the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps. His previous appointments included Director of Operations, Army Headquarters, Commandant of the Nigerian Army Armoured School, Bauchi and Commander, 22 Army Brigade Dikwa among other notable appointments. He brings an outstanding decades of wealth of experience, expertise and professionalism to his new role as the Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy. He hails from Adum, Otukpa Community in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue state. General Ochai is happily married to Mrs. Ruth Ochai and they are blessed with three lovely children.
