Nigerian Army Day 2023: COAS says at 160 yrs army has sparkling achievements, strides

…urges media partnership to
to restore peace and security in Nigeria

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj Gen Taoreed Lagbaja has lauded the achievements of the NA over the past 160 years of its existence. The COAS said there is still room for improvement.
He made this remarks in a speech during a media briefing on the activities marking the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2023.
The COAS who was represented by Maj Gen EY Onumajuru, expressed joy over being the Chief of Army Staff at a time when the NA is celebrating its 160th year. He added, “it is a privilege’.
COAS also solicited the cooperation of the Nigerian media to restore peace and security in the country.
He said “I urge you to partner with us to restore peace and security across the length and breadth of our beloved nation”.
The full speech:
The Nigerian Army, as an enviable national institution saddled with the constitutional mandate of defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity, has evolved over 160 years.
This rich history of the service dates back to 1863 when Lieutenant Glover of the Royal Navy formed a local force known as the “Glover Hausas. “This local force eventually became part of a larger body established by Lord Fredrick Lugard in 1889 as the West African Frontier Force (WAFF). Since then, the force underwent several transformations with consequent changes in nomenclature viz the Nigerian Regiment, Queen’s Own Nigerian Regiment, and Nigerian Military Force before its current name, the Nigerian Army.

The transformation continued through different phases of growth and development until the Nigerian Army witnessed an astronomical increase in strength from 10,500 to 250,000 all ranks during the unfortunate Nigerian Civil War.
The war ended with the slogan “No victor, no vanquished,” reuniting the country in 1970. Thereafter, the Nigerian Army downsized into a compact army with a four division structure of 1 Division, 2 Division, 3 Division, and 82 Division. The NA has, however, again, in response to the contemporary security

The environment in the country reorganized into an eight divisional structure complemented by other commands. Interestingly, 2 Division, one of the NA’s foremost divisions, is hosting this year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) in the ancient city of Ibadan.

NADCEL is held annually on 6 July to commemorate the day the Nigerian Civil War broke out. It also marks the day the very first shot of the war was fired at Garkem in the present- day Cross River State. The date is set aside by the Nigerian Army to remind us about our past and the need to address our problems peacefully rather than resorting to arms.
It also reminds us of the slogan, ‘No victor, no vanquished’, the slogan that emphasizes our unity in diversity, the love we share in diversity, and brotherhood in diversity. NADCEL was first celebrated in 1978 in Lagos.
This year’s celebration marks the 160th year of the Nigerian Army’s existence since its formation.

“The week-long NADCEL is an important event due to its significance to National security peace, and unity.
“It offers the Nigerian Army an opportunity to take stock, assess its performances, interface with the public, and set goals for continued professional growth. This will enable it to better perform its constitutional roles and also compete favourably with other armies around the globe
“The theme of the NADCEL 2023 is “Sound Administration as a Panacea for Effective Military Operations”.
“This year’s celebration is scheduled to hold from 1-6 July 2023 to celebrate Nigerian Army’s achievements.
“It will also showcase the Army’s operational activities as well as its transformational strides in innovation, research and development, civil-military relations, and technological advancement.
“The celebration is also aimed at projecting the
Army as an instrument of national unity and development as well as highlighting its capabilities
“I am delighted to intimate you of the activities lined up for this year’s NADCEL.
“The first event is my briefing with you, my friends, which we are holding now.
“As customary, we always put God first in all we do because Victory is from God alone.
“Hence, a special Jumma at Prayers will come up on Friday, 30% of June 2023, in all NA Formations. “This would 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 our formations and units, while on Monday, 3rd of July 2023, there will be NA Free Medical Outreach in all NA formations and public engagement visits to selected secondary schools in all NA Formation”.
“On Tuesday 4th July 2023, I will pay a courtesy call, first 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 I shall interact with media Executives at the same Centre. Subsequently, we shall have the 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.
“Additionally, throughout the celebration period, there would be broadcasts of goodwill messages on National TV from troops at the various frontlines and also from Nigerians in support of the Nigerian Army.

“Gentlemen of the press, it is pertinent to acknowledge the long-existing partnership you have with the Nigerian Army, which has enhanced its operations in recent times.
“I, therefore, assure you of the commitment of the Nigerian Army to work assiduously in synergy with sister services and security agencies in discharging its assigned duties professionally, putting the national interest above any personal gains or consideration.
“I urge you to partner with us to restore peace and security across the length and breadth of our beloved nation”.
_See photo of the Generals_