The Nigerian Army has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening unity, discipline and shared institutional values across its ranks as part of broader efforts to sustain cohesion within the force.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, underscored this objective while hosting officers and soldiers serving in Army Headquarters Departments and Commands within Abuja to a Combined Inter-Faith Iftar at the Army Headquarters Command Officers’ Mess 1 in Asokoro.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the gathering brought together Christian and Muslim personnel for a joint breaking of fast, reflecting what military authorities described as a deliberate effort to reinforce unity and mutual understanding across religious and cultural lines within the Nigerian Army.
Addressing the personnel, Lieutenant General Shaibu noted that the rare coincidence of the Christian Lenten season and the Muslim Ramadan fasting period carries deep spiritual significance, stressing that the convergence offers important lessons in discipline, sacrifice and devotion.
He explained that Nigeria’s diversity in religion, ethnicity and culture should remain a source of collective strength rather than division, adding that the armed forces must continue to embody the values of unity and professionalism required to safeguard national stability.
The Chief of Army Staff urged officers and soldiers to draw lessons from the shared virtues reflected in both fasting traditions and translate them into their professional responsibilities, particularly in maintaining discipline, dedication and commitment to duty.
Lieutenant General Shaibu also reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s loyalty to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while acknowledging the administration’s continued support for the Armed Forces in advancing national security objectives.
He further charged personnel to remain resolute in defending Nigeria’s democratic system and ensuring citizens are able to pursue their socio-economic activities without fear, while commending troops deployed across operational theatres for their dedication and sacrifices in protecting the country.
Earlier, the Chief of Administration (Army), Major General IM Abdullahi, described the event as both historic and spiritually significant, noting that the joint observance of Ramadan and Lent reflects the values of unity, mutual respect and shared purpose that define the Nigerian Army.
He stated that the simultaneous observance of the two religious seasons symbolises the virtues upheld by both Christians and Muslims, including discipline, sacrifice, humility, compassion and charity, adding that these principles continue to reinforce the Nigerian Army’s identity as a professional institution where personnel from diverse backgrounds remain united in service to the nation.
The engagement forms part of ongoing leadership initiatives aimed at strengthening morale, reinforcing shared institutional values and sustaining cohesion within the Nigerian Army as it continues to carry out its constitutional mandate of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria.