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The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. OO Oluyede,on Wednesday, had a special lunch with sick and wounded in action personnel at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, as part of activities celebrating Christmas.
Represented by the Commander, Corps Artillery, Major General Markus Kangye, the COAS urged the sick and wounded soldiers to remain focused, disciplined and loyal to constituted authorities while ensuring that they fully commit to achieving constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.
“I urge you to maintain the spirit
of patriotism and continue to give your best in the discharge of your assigned duties and responsibilities. It behoves on every Nigerian Army personnel to therefore remain apolitical and subordinated to civil authority.
“As we celebrate this year’s Christmas, let us use the opportunity to remember and pray for the repose of the souls of our departed gallant
colleagues who paid the supreme prize in the course of defending their Fatherland, including the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Late Lt. Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja CFR. Our hearts and thoughts are always with their families.
“As we step into the New Year, let me reiterate that the welfare of officers, soldiers and their families, including those of our departed and injured colleagues will remain my top priority. Be rest assured that all issues to foster professionalism and combat-readiness of the Nigerian Army will be up-scaled under my leadership.
“This will be achieved alongside a stronger emphasis on maintaining sound administration that prioritises personnel welfare, recognises excellence and ensures an efficient system of rewards and sanctions, All these are in furtherance of my Command Philosophy which is ‘To Consolidate the Transformation of the Nigerian Army towards Bequeathing a well-Motivated and Combat-Ready Force that Can Effectively Discharge its Constitutional Responsibilities Within a Joint and Multi- Agency Environment’.
“I would also like to use this unique opportunity of the Yuletide Season, to once again express our profound appreciation and unalloyed loyalty to the President, Commander – in – Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for his unflinching support and strategic guidance to the Nigerian Army.
“The Nigerian Army will ever remain Committed, determined and focused on winning all land battles in defence of the territorial integrity of Nigeria, protect her national interests and accomplish other tasks in aid of civil authority within a joint and multi-agency environment.”
“The collective efforts of our troops
towards securing lives and properties are well appreciated by well-meaning Nigerians and the allies of Nigeria,” the COAS further said.
Earlier in his address, General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army/Commander 1 Fansan Yanma, Maj. Gen. MLD Saraso, said the Christmas celebration provides a unique and solid avenue to appreciate the sacrifices, loyalty and commitments of gallant troops in 1 Division Area of Responsibility (AOR).
He said the security situation in the Division’s AOR has remained volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous but the Division has, however, ensured stability in the AOR, adding that it was exemplified by the relative security being enjoyed along the strategic Kaduna-Birnin Gwari Road and the Abuja-Kaduna Road/rail corridor, saying additionally, several kidnap victims have been rescued or released from captivity unconditionally while many bandits have also laid down their arms due to the proactive kinetic and non-kinetic engagements.
“These modest successes have been made possible through the collective dedication and sacrifices of our gallant troops in the field. In line with the Command Philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff which is ‘To Consolidate the Transformation of the Nigerian Army Towards Bequeathing a Well-Motivated and Combat-Ready Force that can Effectively Discharge its Constitutional’.
He further reiterated that for the responsibilities within a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment, “we in 1 Division and indeed the NA as a whole must ensure that our troops are continuously motivated to accomplish all statutory or assigned tasks. This lunch is, therefore, a token of appreciation for your hard work and sacrifices throughout the year 2024.
“Additionally, it is aimed at reinvigorating our commitments to securing our AOR and to ensure that no safe haven exist for terrorist or insurgent activities within 1 division Nigerian Army,” Maj. Gen. Saraso stated.
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