COAS reassures on kinetic, non-kinetic operations to solve insecurity as Nigerian Army Day celebration begins July 6

By AGATHA NWOKOCHA, Abuja

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja has listed key achievements of the Nigerian Army (NA) as the institution prepares to celebrate its 161 years existence from July 6, 2024.

“The Nigerian Army has also made significant contributions to national development and progress in several areas such as security, education, engineering, health, science, sports and manyother spheres. It is due to these accomplishments we always seize the opportunity presented by the period culminating into 6 July to celebrate and give glory to Almighty God”, Lagbaja stated.

Briefing journalists on Monday, at the Nigerian Army headquarters, Abuja, on the series of activities marking the Celebration the COAS said, “it is a celebration ofone of the greatest Armies in the world whose eventful history spans 161 years”.

“This dates back to 1863 when Lieutenant Glover of the Royal Navy organised18 indigenes of Northern Nigeria into a local force”.

He used the occasion to speak on the security challenge confronting the country, saying, “On our part, I assure the nation that the Nigerian Army under the leadership of Lt Gen TA Lagbaja the 23rd Chief of Army Staff will continue to conduct kinetic and non-kinetic operations to ensure the quick resolution of our security challenges”.

The Army chief who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Planning, Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim, noted that over the years, the Nigerian Army has played crucial roles in the defence of our country and the maintenance of peace and security.

He said the Nigerian Army Day Celebration provides an opportunity to celebrate the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve in our Army.

He said,  “It is expedient to state that as the Nigerian Army evolved, it continually build capacity and modernized to effectively meet its responsibilities.

“The capabilities and doggedness of the Nigerian Army ensured its troops participated in the First and Second World War and numerous peacekeeping and peace support operations in different parts of the world.

“The Nigerian Army also took active part in the unfortunate Nigerian Civil War, which ended with the slogan “No victor, no vanquish”; reuniting the country in 1970. Its heroic exploits in Peacekeeping especially in the last 2 decades are well acknowledged globally and particularly by the United Nations.

“The effectiveness of the Nigerian Army in peacekeeping has resulted in several requests for its deployment in various troubled countries, and despite our security challenges, Nigeria submit to calls for increased participation of her troops in international peace efforts.

“The challenges faced by the Nigerian Army over the past 161 years notwithstanding, the Army has persevered and grown to be the 39th ranked country out of 145 countries assessed in the Global Firepower Index of 2024.

“As you may all know, the date; 6 July itself symbolically signifies the day in the Nigerian Civil War when the First Shot was fired in Nigerian Army’s quest to keep the nation united and indivisible”.

“The Nigerian Army Day Celebration aims to showcase the Army as an instrument of national unity, integration, and development as well as highlight the achievements, capabilities and enduring reputation of the Nigerian Army”.

“The theme for this Year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebration is Transforming the Nigerian Army: Imperative for Combating Contemporary Security Challenges within a Joint Environment”.

“The theme was carefully selected considering the significance of transformation for combat readiness and proficiency towards attaining a robust national security that supports economic prosperity and resilient democracy, in accordance with Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda”.

He continues, “The Nigerian Army Day Celebration which is hosted annually in a selected State was first celebrated in 1978 in Lagos. Plateau State was selected for this year’s celebration and the Executive Governor of the State has graciously accepted to host the Nigerian Army.

“It is instructive to state that 3 Division which is one of the oldest Division in the Nigerian Army is the Host Formation for this year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebration .”

“At this juncture, I wish to state that the activities lined up for this year’s Celebration are in consonance with the Chief of Army Staff Command Philosophy of transforming the Nigerian  Army into a well-trained, equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving its constitutional responsibility within a joint environment. Therefore, we want to put God first because we believe, as inscribed as our motto that victory is from Godalone.

Hence, special Jumma’at Prayers and Interdenominational Church Services would hold across all our formations and units on Friday 28th and Sunday 30th June respectively.

On 3rd July, we shall have speaking engagement visits to at least one secondary school in each state of the Country and the Federal Capital Territory. The speaking engagement seeks to enlighten the young minds in the selected schools about their Army and promote patriotism and selfless service. This would be followed by the conduct of FreeMedical Outreach and commissioning of quick impact projects

Within the host community to elicit their support and cooperation. The Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2024 special Lecture is scheduled to take place at Gowon Hall, Crispan

Hotel, Jos on 4th July. The lecture would deliberate on topical issues affecting all aspects of the Nigerian Army’s transformation so that, going forward the Army can better meet its constitutional obligations”.