The Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the Nigerian Army’s strategic pivotal role within the revived Military in combating insecurity across the nation.
President Buhari made this statement at the grand finale of the 2022 Nigerian Army Day Celebration, (NADCEL) held in Owerri, Imo State.
President Buhari said since the inception of the Force in 1863, it has transformed into a highly professionalised, disciplined Force to be reckoned with both at regional and global levels.
President Buhari proudly recalled the gallantry of the Nigerian Army in expeditionary operations, especially in the first and second World wars, the Nigerian civil war as well as Army’s post-independence exploits in regional and global peacekeeping efforts.
Appreciation
While appreciating the Services and sacrifices of the heroes past and those still alive, President Buhari thanked officers and soldiers for their unalloyed loyalty to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
President Buhari was represented by the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (Rtd).
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma who was also present at the event appreciated the leadership of the Nigerian Army for the hosting right of NADCEL 2022.
While appreciating the Nigerian Army for its sterling performance as a fighting Force, Governor Uzodinma said the hosting of top Military hierarchies has improved the internal security architecture of Imo State.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya in his opening address described the 6th of July of every year as an epochal historic date to commemorate the end of the thirty months Nigerian Civl war in 1967.
Lieutenant General Yahaya said under his watch the Service has been repositioned to deliver robustly in meeting its constitutional mandate. He appreciated serving and retired officers and soldiers for their sacrifices in defending the nation’s territorial integrity.
While warning officers and soldiers to remain involved he assured the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces that respect for Civil authority is unshaken and that it will be resolutely guided.
The representative of the special guest of honour, General Magashi inspected the guard, reviewed the parade, visited the Research and Development R&D pavilion and presented awards to deserving officers and Personnel as well as presented Hilux vehicles to some warrant officers.
Olusola Akintonde
