By Princess-Ekwi Ajide, Abuja
The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja has appreciated troops of the Nigerian Army for their commitment and sacrifice towards combating emerging security challenges in theatres of operations across the country,
Major General Lagbaja who gave the appreciation as part of his goodwill message to troops and their families to mark Eid -El-Kabir 2023 expressed gratitude to God for his protection and guidance.
The Army Chief noted that Eid-el-Kabir festival represents the virtues of sacrifice and submission to the will of the Almighty God as exemplified by Prophet Abraham and emulated by Prophet Muhammed adding that the season brings to mind the supreme sacrifice officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army make on a daily basis to ensure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation are preserved at all times.
He opined that the celebration also embodies courage, selfless service, discipline, integrity, respect for others, and loyalty, which according to him, are the core values of the Nigerian Army, urging the troops to leverage the spirituality of the occasion to pray for the army as it strives to combat security challenges in all theatres of operations across the country.
General Lagbaja, who recently assumed office as the 23rd Chief of Army Staff noted that his appointment was a call to engender change and make a difference towards the fulfillment of the constitutional mandate of the army, in line with his Command’s philosophy, ” To transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, equipped, and highly motivated force towards achieving our constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment”.
He further lauded the troops deployed in ongoing operations within and outside the shores of the country for their sacrifice, in different capacities, which he has no doubt about the zeal and commitment of the troops in ensuring their success in combating the complex, multifaceted, and unpredictable security threats bedeviling the country, alongside other sister services, including the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.
A statement signed by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, quoted General Lagbaja as assuring that he will provide the needed leadership and consolidate on prior achievements of the army in ensuring that the current security distractions confronting the nation are decimated.
While expressing gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him and the army, the army chief reaffirmed the unalloyed loyalty of officers and soldiers to the constitution and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and urged the troops to remain resolute, undaunted, disciplined and patriotic in combating the adversaries of the country.
