Leadership
By Kennedy Sheyin
Abuja, Aug. 26, 2026 The Chief of Naval Staff( CNS), Vice Adm. Idi Abbas has charged the outgoing participants of the National Defence College’s Course -34 to remain intellectually curious while leading strategically.
The CNS gave the charged on Wednesday night at the Awards Event organised for the graduating participants in Abuja.
According to Abbas, strategic leaders must anticipate change, frame problems accurately and make difficult decisions while remaining accountable for the outcomes.
He told the course-34 participants that their tasks came with a complex strategic environment marked by geopolitical rivalry, rapid technological change, economic uncertainty terrorism, insurgency, banditry, transnational crime and climate related pressures.
“These challenges intersect and no longer respect boarders. You must lead strategically, and above all every decision you make must ultimately reflect national interests, respect human dignity and remain grounded in constitutional authority and law,” he said.
He noted that the completion of the course does not signify the end of learning, but the beginning of greater responsibilities as subsequent appointments demanded them to convert gained knowledge to purposeful action.
“Whether you serve in command, policy, diplomacy, law enforcement, public administration or international assignments, remain intellectually curious, morally courageous and calm under pressure.
“Speak truth respectfully, listen before deciding and ensure that your plans account for the people whose lives they affect.
“Uphold professionalism, constitutional loyalty, discipline and political neutrality while approaching every assignment with humility, courage and sound judgment,” he said.
Abbas further advised the graduands, which comprised of participants from countries all over Africa and beyond to ensure that they maintained the relationships built during their time at the college.
“One of the most enduring assets you take from this college is the network built across services, institutions, professions and national boundaries.
“Do not allow these relationships to fade after graduation. Use it to bridge institutional divides, exchange ideas and coordinate responses to shared challenges,” he added.
The CNS charged the international participants to remain worthy ambassadors of the NDC while highlighting the importance of the different perspectives they had brought to the college.
He also urged the Nigerian participants across the services and other institutions to utilise the connections formed throughout their time at the college and preserve the spirit of consultations and cooperation.
“National security is a shared responsibility and effective partnerships remain indispensable,” he emphasised.
He congratulated the participants and commended them for their dedication throughout the rigorous programme and tasked them to lead strategically as the college had taught them to.
He also commended the college commandant, Rear Adm. Abdullahi Ahmed and the entire college staff for their hard work and contributions to attaining high standards of excellence and diversity.
KKS/DCO
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Edited by Deborah Coker
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