By Kennedy Sheyin
The National Defence College (NDC) has organised a sporting fiesta to boost the physical fitness of the outgoing course -34 participants.
The sporting events featured include football, volleyball, tennis, badminton and tug of war, team sports strategically chosen to foster team spirit and cooperation among the graduating participants.
The annual sporting fiesta took place at the Aguyi Ironsi Sporting Complex on Saturday in Abuja.
The NDC Commandant, Rear Adm. Abdullahi Ahmed in his remark said that the purpose of the fiesta is to provide an opportunity to celebrate participant’s accomplishments.
Ahmed, however, said that the fiesta is also a celebration of the values of teamwork, discipline, resilience and healthy competition.
He added that beyond the excitement of competition, the activities strengthened friendship, fostered excellence and reinforced the enduring bonds that have been forged throughout the course.
“At the NDC, we firmly believe that effective strategic leadership demands not only intellectual excellence, but also physical fitness, mental resilience, and emotional balance.
“Sporting activities, therefore, form an integral part of our wholistic approach to leadership development.
“This cultivates discipline, perseverance, teamwork, sound judgment, and the ability to perform effectively under pressure.
“These are qualities that are indispensable for leaders entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding our national security and advancing national development”, he said.
Ahmed congratulated the course-34 participants, commending them for successfully navigating a demanding manpower program of academic activity, strategic exercises, research, studies, and policy engagement.
He urged them to use the opportunity to rest, celebrate their achievements, as well as strengthen the friendship built and create lasting memories as they prepared for the next phase of their professional career.
The commandant reaffirmed his commitment to promoting physical fitness, sportsmanship, and the overall well-being of all members of the NDC community through regular sporting activities.
According to him, such events provided valuable opportunities for healthy recreation, professional interaction, and the setting up of comradery that characterized the institution.
The Chief of Operations, Headquarters Nigerian Air Force and special guest at the sports fiesta, AVM Precious Amadi, speaking after the fiesta said that the participants displayed remarkable determination and healthy rivalry.
According to Amadi, the qualities developed and displayed by the participants were important in the discharge of career duty that the college sought to prepare them for.
According to him, the participants showed discipline, resilience, the value of teamwork and mutual respect which defines strategic leadership.
“The commitment and enthusiasm displayed by all participants reflects the leadership attributes that the NDC seeks to instill in its graduates.
“It demonstrates the college’s vision that physical fitness, mental resilience, and emotional balance are all indispensable to intellectual excellence in preparing strategic leaders for higher responsibilities,” he added.
Amadi also congratulated the participants for their achievements over the past 11 months, highlighting the rigorous nature of the program that prepared them for strategic leadership and national service.
“As you approach your graduation, I encourage you strongly to carry forth the lessons you have learned, the friendships you have built, and the spirit of collaboration that has characterised your time as a participant.
“These relationships and experiences will remain invaluable throughout your career in the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other MDAs.
“Let us continue to utilise sporting activities as a means of fostering physical fitness, mutual understanding and unity within our armed forces and across the wider national security apparatus and community,” he added.(NAN)