The Nigerian Army as a symbol of unity in diversity and purpose was best demonstrated by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Major General Faruk Yahaya and his officers at the Mogadishu Cantonment Catholic Church in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
It was the first time a Chief of Army Staff who is a Muslim joined the Christian counterparts at the interdenominational service as part of activities to mark the 2021 Nigerian Army Day Celebration.
The COAS pointed out that the message he is passing with his presence at the Inter-denominational service is that the military operates as a single unit.
“The military operate only as one unit even though there are Christians and Muslims, the job of the military is not an individual one but of a collective unit, sub-units, sections platoons, company, battalion and brigade.
“There are no individual jobs or division, when we are lined up in a battle front the man next to you would be a Christian or a Muslim, the essence is unity and synergy with other services and agencies. And you can see what the synergy has brought us in the successes we are achieving, hence the Inter-denominational service we had, we are all united in our goal to bring security and peace to the country,“ said Major General Faruk Yahaya.
Earlier at the service which began with a procession of the clergymen, joined by the military officers adorn in their ceremonial uniform, the Director Chaplain Services Roman Catholic, Colonel Iscongo Gwam Mariga took the Gospel Reading, taken from the gospel of John 17:1-2& 17-13, which centres on the unity of the Trinity, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
While delivering the Sermon titled: “Collective Efforts,” the Director Chaplain Services Protestant Colonel Reverend Martins Dogo said without God, achievements in operation and attainment of peace would not be possible.
“The means of inhuman treatment, man to man, a lot of questions that demand answers both at the top and at the base, a gathering like this of these women and men of noble cause, the pride of the nation, that is the Nigerian army, I call on the pride of the nation to march on to meet the needs of our nation, join hands with our political leaders for the good of our nation, we must at any given time struggle to succeed. We must join hands together if we are to succeed.“ Reverend Dogo stated.
The Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Major General AB Omozoje while delivering the vote of thanks, was full of appreciation to God, the Commander in Chief for his support to the armed forces and to the Chief of Defence Staff who was represented at the occasion by Major General Elvis Njoku.
Present at the event were senior military officers both serving and retired, members of the Nigerian Army Officer’s Wives Association among other dignitaries.
The NADCEL week activities continue on Monday 5 July 2021 with Medical outreaches and the grand finale on Tuesday 6 July 2021.
PIAK
