The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has emphasised a shift towards inclusive security where veterans, communities, and state actors collaborate.

Mr Ribadu stated this on Friday night at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) 18 Regular Course held in Abuja.

He delivered a lecture titled “Veterans as Significant National Assets.”

He proposed a national veteran security initiative to leverage the expertise of retired officers in intelligence, training, and peacebuilding.

He stated, “Security is not just the job of soldiers and police. It is everybody’s business, and our success is due to the unified approach of all security agencies, working as one team. Veterans are being called back—not to the battlefield, but to the strategy room, to the classrooms, and into their communities. At a time when security threats have evolved beyond traditional battlefields, Nigeria is looking back to move forward—by turning to those who once stood at the front lines. You are not just assets to be admired, you are partners to be engaged, advisors to be consulted, and leaders to be followed.’’.

Mr Ribadu commended the veterans whom he said helped shape Nigeria’s defence landscape through decades of service, from battling civil unrest and insurgencies to peacekeeping operations abroad.

According to Mr Ribadu, it makes them a strategic national asset in the country’s current security architecture.

The NSA outlined a plan to systematically integrate veterans into Nigeria’s contemporary security strategy by creating a national veteran security initiative, a platform to build a national database of veteran expertise.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, lauded the initiative and urged NDA alumni across generations to emulate the Course 18 cohort in upholding the ideals of patriotism and service.

Mr Matawalle pledged the commitment of the Federal Government to continue to enhance the welfare of the veterans.

The Chairman of the occasion, retired Maj.-Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, who served as the Adjutant and Commander of Course 18 in 1975, praised their enduring loyalty and contributions to nation building.

Mr Nwachukwu, who was a former minister of foreign affairs and military governor of Imo State, lauded the efforts of Lt.- Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, a Course 18 member, as the 22nd Chief of Army Staff.

He said that Mr Ihejirika proudly spearheaded crucial counterinsurgency operations and expanded military formations nationwide between 2010 and 2014.

In his remarks, Mr Ihejirika advocated compulsory military training for all Nigerians to instill a culture of patriotism, discipline, and national unity.

The Royal Father of the Day and Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, also a member of RC 18, called for sustained national devotion.

He urged veterans to lead in inspiring civic responsibility.

Earlier in his remarks, the President of 18th Regular Course, retired Air Commodore Isaac Oguntuyi, said that only 47 of the 149 cadets who began training on June 30, 1975, are still alive.

He paid special tribute to Messrs Sa’ad Abubakar and Ihejirika for their historic accomplishments, describing them as pillars of the group’s enduring legacy.

Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, representatives of the minister of defence and representatives of service chiefs.

(NAN)