The Nigerian Army has emphasizes the need to address our problems as a people and as a nation peacefully rather than resorting to arms.
Chief of Army Staff Major General Taoreed Lagbaja made this known while briefing journalists ahead of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL)which is celebrated on the 6th day of July every year.
Major General Lagbaja pointed out that it is also the day the Nigerian Civil War broke out.
The Army Chief who was represented by the Chief of Special Services and Programmes Army and Chairman Organising Committee NADCEL 2023, Major General Emeka Victor Onomajuru said the day was first celebrated in 1978 in Lagos, as this year’s event will be Hosted by 2 Division Nigerian Army in the ancient city of Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.
He further stated that this year’s NADCEL marks over 160 years of the Nigerian Army’s evolution which dates back to 1863 and it is aimed at projecting the Army as an instrument of national unity, and development as well as highlighting its capabilities.
According to the Chief of Army Staff, “The day also marks the day the very first shot of the war was fired at Garkem in the present-day Cross River State and it is set aside by the Nigerian Army to remind us about our past, and the slogan, ‘No victor, no vanquished, the slogan that emphasizes our unity in diversity, the love we share in diversity, and brotherhood in diversity.”
He equally pointed out that “the week-long NADCEL offers the Nigerian Army an opportunity to take stock, assess its performances, interface with the public, and set goals for continued professional growth.”
The theme of this year’s celebration scheduled to hold from 1-6 July 2023 as revealed by the Chief of Army Staff is “Sound Administration as a Panacea for Effective Military Operations.”
The event will be showcasing the Army’s operational activities as well as its transformational strides in innovation, research and development, civil-military relations, and technological advancement. It is also aimed at projecting the Army as an instrument of national unity and development as well as highlighting its capabilities
The activities lined up for this year’s event are A special Jumma at Prayers on Friday, 30th of June 2023, in all NA Formations. To be followed by a Golf Tournament at Tiger Golf Course Ibadan on Saturday, 1 July 2023.
On Sunday, 2nd July 2023, Interdenominational Church Services will be held across all formations and units, while on Monday, 3rd of July 2023, will be Nigerian Army Free Medical Outreach in all formations and public engagement visits to selected secondary schools in all NA Formations.
On Tuesday 4th July 2023, the COAS will pay courtesy calls to the Executive Governor of Oyo State and subsequently to the Olubadan of Ibadan.
This will be followed by a Research Development Exhibition and a Themed Historical Exhibition at the Major General JM Inienger Sports Complex at Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment Odogbo, Ibadan, Oyo State. Thereafter there will be the commissioning of CIMIC projects at designated locations in Oyo State.
This will dovetail into the Veterans Happy Hour at the Infantry Corps Centre Ibadan. The NADCEL Lecture will come up on Wednesday, 5th July 2023, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, after which the COAS shall interact with media Executives at the same Centre.
Then concluding part of the Research and Development Exhibition as well as the Themed Historical Exhibition at Major General JM Inienger Sports Complex at the Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment Odogbo, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The event would be capped up with a grand finale and Gala Nite on Thursday, 6 July 2023, at the Major General JM Inienge Sports Complex and the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, respectively.
