By Sani Aliyu, Zaria
The Commander, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Peter Malla has charged graduating boys of the Nigeria Military School (NMS), Zaria, to uphold discipline, integrity and selfless service as worthy ambassadors of the institution.
He gave the charge at the school’s 2025/2026 Academic Session Beating of the Retreat Ceremony marking the successful conclusion of an academic session which is one of the school’s longstanding military traditions.
General Malla who was the Special Guest of Honour and as a distinguished ex-boy of the school, urged the graduating students to remain patriotic, disciplined and committed to excellence in their future endeavours.
While reminding them that they were custodians of the school’s rich heritage and reputation, he urged them to uphold its core values and demonstrate courage, honour and integrity wherever life might take them to.
He said the Beating of the Retreat remains one of the military profession’s most enduring traditions, symbolising discipline, vigilance and esprit de corps while reinforcing the values that have sustained military excellence across generations.
“The ceremony is more than colourful military pageantry. It is a solemn reminder of the discipline, vigilance and shared commitment that define the profession of arms and military service,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commandant of the Nigeria Military School, Brig-Gen Owoicho Ejiga, said the ceremony provided an opportunity to reflect on the institution’s achievements, discipline and enduring values while celebrating a cherished military tradition.
He said the sounding of the retreat and the lowering of the national colours underscored the principles of duty, honour, loyalty and selfless service upon which every successful military institution is built.
General Ejiga described the event as a defining milestone for the graduating boys, marking the successful completion of an important phase of their training and preparing them for greater
responsibilities beyond the school.
The Commandant thanked the Special Guest of Honour for honouring the school’s invitation despite his demanding schedule and also appreciated ex-boys, officers, invited guests and friends of the institution for their continued support and confidence.
The Commandant reaffirmed the school’s commitment to producing disciplined, responsible and patriotic future leaders, expressing confidence that the graduating boys would continue to uphold the institution’s ideals wherever they found themselves.
During the ceremony Echo Coy received the overall best trophy of the academic season.
