Muhammad Nur Tijjani
The Commander of 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Kano, Brig.-Gen. Saka Jimoh, has urged students to embrace discipline, hard work and academic excellence as the foundation for personal success and national development.
Jimoh made the call during a public speaking engagement at Tony Cheta Secondary School, Sabon Gari, Kano, organised by the brigade as part of activities marking the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2026.
Addressing the students, the Brigade Commander underscored the vital role of teachers in shaping the character and future of young people, describing them as indispensable partners in nation-building.
Drawing from his personal experience, Jimoh recalled how discipline, mentorship and guidance from his teachers during his secondary school years significantly influenced his personal growth and eventual military career.
He cautioned students against examination malpractice, age falsification and other forms of dishonesty, stressing that such practices undermine integrity and limit future opportunities. Instead, he encouraged them to focus on acquiring knowledge and building a strong academic foundation.
The commander also warned against social vices, including drug abuse, internet fraud and cultism, urging students to remain patriotic, law-abiding and committed to contributing positively to national development.
Jimoh further appealed to teachers, parents and other stakeholders to work collaboratively towards strengthening the education system and promoting ethical values among young people.
Reaffirming the Nigerian Army’s commitment to youth development, he said his military service in different parts of the world had reinforced his conviction that discipline, patriotism and selfless service remain essential values for national progress.
In separate presentations, Lt.-Col. Gbenga Adekunle and Maj. Hassan Abdullahi encouraged the students to uphold honesty, integrity and patriotism while shunning criminal activities, cultism and drug abuse.
They noted that such negative behaviours not only hinder personal development but also pose threats to national security.
The officers also enlightened the students on the diverse career opportunities available in the Nigerian Army, including engineering, medical services, logistics, intelligence, communications and other professional fields.
According to them, the outreach programme was designed to strengthen civil-military relations while creating awareness of the Army’s constitutional role in safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity and supporting national development.
They reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to sustaining community engagement initiatives through educational outreach, medical services, infrastructure support and disaster response programmes across the country.
In his remarks, the Director of Tony Cheta Secondary School, Mr. Tony Emecheta, commended the Nigerian Army for its unwavering dedication to national security and youth mentorship.
He described the outreach as a valuable initiative that exposed students to the virtues of discipline, leadership, patriotism and selfless service while providing them with firsthand interaction with military officers.
Emecheta expressed appreciation to the visiting officers for their sacrifices in ensuring peace and security across the country, noting that the engagement would inspire many students to become responsible citizens and future leaders.
Highlight of the occasion,include thtpresentation of souvenirs and educational materials to the school by the Commander of 3 Brigade.
NAN