President Bola Tinubu has charged the armed forces to engage the nation’s adversaries with more military gallantry and sophistication, saying Nigeria must maintain its status as the giant of Africa.

Tinubu gave the charge yesterday in Kaduna at the combined passing out parade of the 71 Regular Course, Army, Navy and Air Force.

The graduands included Direct Short Service Course 28 (Army) and Direct Short Service Course 32 (Air Force) Cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 823 officers were commissioned into the nation’s armed forces.

Tinubu who was represented by the speaker, House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas, charged members of the armed forces to remain focused in their operations, emphasising that elite militaries remain professional in democratic dispensations.

According to Tinubu, this is with the belief that the individuals charged with the nation’s leadership will do their job.

Tinubu lamented that Nigeria as a country was faced with multiple challenges that have attempted to destroy the nationhood.

He said the economic challenges and deterioration in the standard of living, as well as unemployment and insecurity, top the list of problems that were besieging the nation.

He, however, said more than ever before, his administration was determined to do all it takes to ensure that Nigeria is united, secure and repositioned for development.

“Based on this, the present government remains resolute in its mandate to create better living conditions for Nigerians and to do this, it has begun taking several steps,” the president added.

As a responsible government, Tinubu said, they were able to identify the crux of the nation’s problems, which was centred on some fundamental issues. (NAN)