The Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has advised graduating students of the Nigerian Military School, NMS, Zaria, to exercise caution in their use of social media, warning that the disclosure of unauthorised information could jeopardise military operations and national security.
The charge was delivered during the 68th Passing Out Parade of the Nigerian Military School held on Saturday in Zaria, Kaduna State.
According to a post on the Nigerian Army’s official X account, the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Nigerian Military School, Captain Chikadibia Anele, said the Army Chief was represented at the event by the Commander, Infantry Corps, Major General GM Mutkut.
Addressing the graduating students, Shaibu urged them to uphold discipline and professionalism throughout their military careers while ensuring strict compliance with human rights principles, rules of engagement and standard operating procedures during operations.
“You are expected to competently operate within the stipulations of the tenets of human rights and strictly adhere to the rules of engagement and standard operating procedures in the conduct of operations,” he said.
The COAS described the completion of six years of academic and military training as a remarkable achievement and commended the graduates for successfully navigating the demanding programme.
“Today marks the successful completion of a comprehensive and rigorous training regimen spanning over a challenging six years. Significant efforts have been made to transform you into disciplined, resilient and patriotic young men equipped with the requisite skills to serve our nation with a high sense of professionalism, excellence and integrity,” he stated.
Shaibu encouraged the graduates to take advantage of career advancement opportunities within the Nigerian Army, including sponsorship programmes that support personnel in pursuing higher education at recognised universities and other tertiary institutions across the country.
“The rich foundation you have received here is your greatest advantage as you step into the next phase of your lives. I encourage you to utilise the robust career development opportunities available through the Nigerian Army Sponsorship Programmes for soldiers,” he added.
The Army Chief also acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for initiatives aimed at strengthening the operational effectiveness of the military and improving the welfare of personnel.
He further cautioned the graduating students against the careless use of social media, stressing the importance of safeguarding classified and sensitive information.
“You must be cautious in your use of social media and avoid disclosing unauthorised information that could compromise military operations or national security,” he warned.
Shaibu urged the new graduates to remain worthy ambassadors of the Nigerian Military School by demonstrating discipline, loyalty and dedication in every assignment they undertake.
The 68th Passing Out Parade marked the successful graduation of another batch of students from the Nigerian Military School, Zaria, following the completion of six years of combined military and academic training.
COAS warns Nigerian military school graduates against social media misuse