By Victoria Onehi
Over 700 Cadets of the Federal Fire Service, comprising officers recruited in the 2022 and 2024 intakes across the country have successfully completed the Regular Course 06 in Jos.
This major milestone is the largest officer training programme conducted by the Service in recent years and the first comprehensive training for newly recruited officers since 2019.
At the Passing Out Parade (POP) held on Thursday at the NDLEA Training School, Jos, Plateau State, marking the end of an intensive nine-week residential training programme the Minister of Interior and Chairman, Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who was represented by the Secretary to the Board, Major General A.M. Jibril (rtd), declared the parade opened and urged the officers to utilise the skills learnt.
The Minister highlighted the importance of sustained training, discipline, and institutional collaboration in building resilient security agencies, commending the Federal Fire Service for successfully executing a training programme of such scale and impact.
Speaking on the significance of the training, the Controller General, Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi,stated that the Service has in recent years prioritised capacity building, operational readiness, and nationwide coverage to meet emerging fire and emergency challenges.
He noted that the successful training and passing out of over 700 cadets underscores ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening response capability, expanding professional manpower, deepening inter-agency collaboration, and improving service delivery to communities across the country. He added that the newly commissioned officers are fully prepared for immediate deployment in support of fire prevention, emergency response, and disaster risk reduction efforts nationwide.
Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Mrs. Josephine Pyo, who represented the Governor, congratulated the Cadets on their successful completion of the course. She charged them to uphold the morals and core values of the Service, while commending the Federal Fire Service for its critical role in preserving lives and property across Nigeria.
The Commandant of the Nigeria Fire Academy (NFA), ACF Peter Umetali, in his vote of thanks, expressed appreciation to the, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the policy direction that enabled the training, and to the Minister of Interior for his innovative reforms. He also thanked the Chairman, Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), represented by the Commandant, NDLEA Training School, Jos, DCG Bashir Samuel Gadzama, for providing a conducive training environment, as well as the organisers of the Passing Out Parade and the instructors whose efforts shaped the cadets into disciplined officers.
A statement signed by the PRO / Head, Corporate Services Federal Fire Service, National Headquarters, DCF Paul Abraham disclosed that as part of the ceremony, outstanding cadets were recognised for excellence:
* Most Disciplined Cadet: ASF II Sarki Francis Uzomi
* Best in Field Drills: ASF II Anyim Joshua
* Best in Academics: ASF II Opon Pius Dominic
The event attracted Service Chiefs from military and paramilitary agencies, represented by their respective state Controllers, Commissioners, and directors, as well as traditional rulers, royal fathers, senior government officials, and other dignitaries, underscoring the national importance of the occasion.
With the successful completion of Regular Course 06, the Federal Fire Service has strengthened its manpower and operational readiness, ensuring faster response times and improved protection of lives and property nationwide.
