The Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration (NASFA), established in 1968, on Monday graduated its first batch of 139 students.

Addressing participants at the event, the acting Chief of Accounts and Budget, Brig.-Gen Adeyemi Adetayo, urged the graduates to serve as objects of change through their professional conduct.

Adetayo, who was represented by Col. J. O. Ozigi, said the graduates should maintain high level of discipline at all times.

“In the past, NASFA students on completion of courses were released to their units without official ceremonies as we are witnessing today.

“Since assumption of office, I have placed premium on capacity building of my officers and soldiers through courses and training in NASFA.

“For the graduating students, I implore you to prove your mettle wherever you find yourselves. I want to receive encouraging feedbacks on how you are excelling in your units.

“Remember that learning never stops, therefore you should effectively optimise any future opportunity.”

The institution’s Commandant, Brig.-Gen Cyril Agulanna, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after the ceremony that the Nigerian Army was working toward upgrading the institution to a Polytechnic status.

Agulanna said that since the establishment of the institution, it only offered two courses and that they hoped to introduce more courses.

“The Brig.-Gen AO Adetayo, acting Chief of Accounts and Budget who is our corps commander is making every effort to make this institution get a polytechnic status.

“This will also enable us to access TEFUND and other government programmes that are available to polytechnics education.

“From all indications, we have created additional departments in this institution which is general studies department.

“From what is on ground now, you know the rules and regulations we need to go through, the National Assembly, we need to also attend to other bodies that will approve the upgrade.

“Every effort is being made and we are looking forward and hoping that in the nearest future it will come to pass.”

The commandant added that the graduation was to officially release the graduates to be able to utilise their newly acquired knowledge.

“Since the establishment of the institution in 1968, we have not had any graduation ceremony at all for some reasons.

“The sole aim at inception is to train officers to enable them to serve as secretaries and personal assistant to senior officers.”

Also speaking with NAN, Jaiyeola Adebola, the best graduating student, National Diploma, Accounting, said that they were trained in all aspects.

“I appreciate the school because there is discipline. When you go to other secular institutions, nobody cares if you attend class or not.

“But at NASFA, we have specific time for everything. It was a good experience over all.”

NAN reports that some of the graduates are also from the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Immigration Service and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.

NAN also reports that 27 graduated from National Diploma (ND) Accounting, 38 from Higher National Diploma (HND), while 36 graduated from ND Office Technology and Management.

Also, 38 graduated from HND Office Technology and Managements. (NAN)

•Photo shows Gen. Buratai

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