The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, has expressed appreciation to troops of the Nigerian Army for their commitment and sacrifice towards combating emerging security challenges in theatres of operations across the country.
He added that the Eid -El-Kabir celebration brings to his remembrance the sacrifices made by soldiers and officers of the service at ensuring peace reigns in the country.
Lagbaja disclosed this on Wednesday in his Goodwill message to troops and their families to felicitate them on the Eid-El-Kabir celebration.
In a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, said the COAS urged the troops to take advantage of the period to pray for the service to record success in the fight against insecurity in the country.
It partly read, “Expressing gratitude to the Almighty God for his protection and guidance, the Army Chief pointed out that the 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. He added that the season brings to remembrance the supreme sacrifice officers and soldiers of the NA make daily to ensure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation are preserved at all times.
He added that the celebration also embodies courage, selfless service, discipline, integrity, respect for others, and loyalty, which he described as the core values of the NA. Gen Lagbaja urged the troops to leverage the spirituality of the occasion to pray for the NA, as it strives to combat security challenges in all theatre operations across the country.”
He said Lagbaja, noted that his appointment was a call to engender change and make a difference towards the fulfilment of the constitutional mandate of the Army in line with his Command philosophy, to transform the NA into a well-trained, equipped, and highly motivated force towards achieving our constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment.
“Gen. Lagbaja assured that he will provide the needed leadership and consolidate on prior achievements of the NA in ensuring that the current security distractions confronting the nation are decimated. He urged the troops to remain resolute, undaunted, disciplined, and patriotic in combating the adversaries of the country,” the statement added.
He said the COAS, however, reaffirmed the unalloyed loyalty of officers and soldiers of the Army to the constitution and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
