Nigeria’s Defence Academy Graduates 129 Pioneer Paratroopers

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna, has graduated 129 paratroopers of the Basic Airborne Course 7/2022, amongst the Academy’s Cadets of 70th Regular Course.

The graduand paratroopers were the pioneer jumpers of the newly established NDA drop zone.

The Cadet paratroopers were also at their fourth year (Tama four) in the Academy, currently undergoing their 5 years academic and military training before their commission into the Armed Forces as Officers.

Speaking at the event, the Director Military Training of the Academy, Brig. General Emmanuel Emekah said the training was in line with the curriculum of the NDA for cadets training as reviewed by the Chief of Defence Staff.

He said it was also the Academy’s Commandant training philosophy which lays much emphasis on physical fitness of Cadets to be able to meet up with contemporary security challenges.

Emekah noted that it was in that regards they were training the Cadets on specialised warfare courses which the airborne course was part of.

He explained that the purpose of the Basic Airborne Course was to qualify the Cadets in the use of parachute as a means of combat deployment.

According to him, it was also to develop their leadership, self-confidence, and an aggressive spirit through mental and physical conditioning.

Emekah disclosed that in few days, the Cadets would be taken to Calabar in Cross River State for amphibious course.

Earlier, Commandant of the NDA, Maj. General Ibrahim Yusuf, restated the Academy’s commitment in continuing to ensure discipline and thorough bred cadets in both academy and training.

He tasked the paratroopers  on continued resilience, disciplined, courage and dedication in achieving their goals towards the path of their career.

Some of the graduand paratroopers, Cadet Hassan Ibrahim and Esther Adeleke said they went through the rigours of ground training, tactical and jump phases where they did five requisite jumps which included three Hollywood and combat equipment jump, and a night jump.

They thanked the Commandant and the Academy’s management for giving them the opportunity of undergoing courses as cadets.

The event featured live jumps exercise with parachutes from airplanes by the Cadets at various points in the bush, where after they were reassembled and decorated with their airborne badges.