Obada said this while inaugurating Course 21 participants of the National Defence College (NDC).
She said the objective of the ministry was to overhaul and transform the armed forces into an institution that would be able to prove its worth whenever it is called upon to do so.
The minister said that in pursuance of the objective, the ministry had taken initiatives to re-equip the services and enhance the welfare of officers and men.
She said the initiatives include re-orientation of the armed forces for proper appreciation of its relationship with civil authority and building virile and intellectually sound armed forces, through training and re-training.
``The idea is to have a defence force, capable of responding rapidly and decisively across the full spectrum of military operations in order to guarantee national security, and influence the global environment to the advantage of our country, ‘’ she said.
Obada told the participants that they had a role to play as the country moved its armed forces forward for the betterment of the nation and the region.
She said the participants were in the college because they were expected to help with the process of transformation in future.
``At the NDC, you will be exposed to all the rudiments of state craft, international relations, research, ICT management and defence and security matters.
``It is expected that you will take advantage of these resources here, so that you can help us, in future, to grow the armed forces, ‘’ the minister added.
In his address, the Commandant of the College, Rear Adm. Thomas Lokoson, said the inauguration would provide an opportunity for the participants to have a clear understanding of their mission in the college and to also know ``what is expected of them over the next 11 months’’.
Lokoson described the course as intensive, extensive and very demanding.
``You must also know that, at this college, we maintain and expect a very high standard of discipline, moral values and academic excellence and we expect you to endeavour to live up to these standards.
``The Inauguration is therefore meant to help you prepare for life at the college and to quickly settle down for serious work, '' he said.
Lokoson said that in view of the enormity and complexity of the responsibilities ahead of the participants, the college was committed to giving them the best training.
In this regard, he said the college had reviewed the curriculum to make it more apt, relevant and friendly, adding that the college facilities had also been improved upon to aid their studies.
Reports say that the college inaugurated 127 participants.
The figure is made up of Army, 49; Navy, 35; Air Force, 24; Police, two; nine participants from Ministries, Department and Agencies, and eight international participants.
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