Eid-el-Kabir: COAS Tasks Soldiers On Loyalty, Obedience and Sacrifice
LT Gen Farouk Yahaya, Chief of Army Staff
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya has called on the officers, soldiers, civilian staff of the Nigerian Army to demonstrate the virtues of loyalty, obedience and sacrifice which he said are the hallmark of professional soldiering.
He said this yesterday in his seven-points goodwill message to the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army and their families on the occasion of the 2021 Eid El Kabir celebration.
While felicitating with all officers, soldiers, civilian staff of the Nigerian Army and their familie, Lt Gen Yahaha said “Eid Festival, therefore, provides a unique opportunity for us to reflect and redouble our efforts towards fulfilling our constitutional roles of defeating our adversaries and defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
Below is the full text of the goodwill message:
GOODWILL MESSAGE FROM LIEUTENANT GENERAL F YAHAYA (N9048) NAM GSS PSC(+) NDC (CHILE) FCMH GSMH BA (HONS) MIAD THE CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF TO OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS OF THE NIGERIAN ARMY AND THEIR FAMILIES ON THE OCCASION OF EID EL KABIR CELEBRATION 2021
1. I am delighted to felicitate with all officers, soldiers, civilian staff of the Nigerian Army and their families on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir 2021 Celebration. I wish to first of all, express my sincere gratitude to the Almighty God for His mercies, protection and guidance over us while discharging our obligations to Nigeria. The Eid-el-Kabir Festival brings a special reminder for us as it highlights the virtues of loyalty, obedience and sacrifice which are also the hallmark of professional soldiering. The Eid Festival therefore provides a unique opportunity for us to reflect and redouble our efforts towards fulfilling our constitutional roles of defeating our adversaries and defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
2/ No doubt the Nation is faced with myriads of security challenges. The Nigerian Army has so far lived up to expectations and will continue to remain focussed in tackling these challenges. I therefore wish to specifically recognise and appreciate the immense sacrifices of our troops in Operations HADIN KAI, HADARIN DAJI, THUNDER STRIKE, WHIRL STROKE and all other operations the NA is engaged both in the Country and abroad. Let me use this opportunity to once again pay special tributes to our colleagues who have paid the supreme price in the defence of our Fatherland. May their gentle souls rest in peace, ameen.
3. On assumption of office, I promised to promote merit, applaud gallantry, celebrate excellence and honour our heroes. It was in that spirit that I conferred the COAS Commendation Award to some deserving officers and soldiers on Tue 6 Jul 21 during the NADCEL 2021. I shall continue to appreciate and applaud competence, diligence and dedicated service. As I will reward excellence and achievements, I will not hesitate to punish indiscipline, indolence, negligence and all untoward acts. In line with my vision to have “A Professional Nigerian Army Ready to accomplish Assigned Missions within a Joint Environment in Defence of Nigeria”, it is my resolve to focus on the core values of the NA which include Loyalty, Courage, Integrity and Selfless Service. I will also see to our return to the cherished customs, ethics and traditions of the Nigerian Army. While not compromising our investment in the officer cadres, I am particularly concerned with the development of individual soldier as well as empowering the Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) and the Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) so that they can play their roles effectively as a bridge between the officers and soldiers.
4. It is important to re-iterate at this point that the welfare of my officers, soldiers and their families will continue to receive adequate attention under my watch. Our hospital facilities and services are being improved upon and I am ever determined to ensure the healthcare of personnel and their families both within and outside the Country. Those wounded in action will be adequately treated and their requirements such as wheelchairs, prothesis and other special vocational training will be provided. To our colleagues who have paid the supreme price, we shall continue to do our best to ensure the comfort of their families, through prompt payment of all their entitlements, including medical bills and school sponsorship of their children.
5. It is my desire to provide them with the necessary requirements that will enhance their confidence and competence in order to return them fully to their prestigious roles in the military hierarchy. In this wise, I have approved the issue of Hilux vehicles as official cars to RSMs beginning with AHQ and AHQ Gar RSMs; and this will cascade down the ladder to the battalion RSMs in due course. Similarly, I have authorised the construction of befitting tied down accommodation for RSMs and renovation of such existing structures to demonstrate my commitment in this endeavour. The overall aim is to develop the individual soldier, provide him with relevant skills, competences and good leadership by his NCOs and SNCOs who he will aspire to emulate. I appreciate and commend you all, our gallant officers and soldiers, as I also urge you all to keep up the good works, ensure synergy with other Services, security agencies and all stakeholders. I urge you all to remain apolitical, continue to discharge your duties professionally in the defence of the Fatherland and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Together, in unison we shall succeed.
6. At this juncture, I wish to express our sincere gratitude to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari for his continuous and untiring support and strategic guidance to the Nigerian Army. I want to once again pledge the unalloyed loyalty of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
7. Thank you all and God bless.
Farouk Yahaya
Lieutenant General
Chief of Army Staff
July 2021
Operation HADIN KAI: Theatre Commander Charges Troops To Dominate The Theatre Against BHTS/ISWAP Terrorists
…Lauds troops’ efforts in Mallam Fatori, Damasak
The Theatre Commander (TC) Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Major General Christopher Musa has charged troops in the theatre of Operations to dominate their areas of responsibility against Boko Haram (BHT) and Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists (ISWAP) in order to ensure total return of normalcy and peace to the northeast.
Maj Gen Musa gave the charge recently, during his visit to troops of Sector 3 in an effort to appraise ongoing operational activities, as well as, to motivate troops of 68 Battalion and 5 Brigade deployed in the frontlines at Mallan Fatori and Damasak respectively. The visit was in continuation of his familiarization and operational tour of troops’ deployment at the frontlines in the North East theatre.
The TC, who was briefed on the operational engagements, logistics and challenges of the Battalion by the Commanding officer, Lt Col Victor Ashinze, expressed appreciation to the troops for their selfless sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and insurgency. He tasked them to be more resilient and steadfast in the conduct of their operations. Gen Musa noted, that as border towns between Nigeria and Niger Republics, the locations are strategic and must therefore be dominated by the troops. He assured the troops of the determination of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya to ensure all requisite logistics and support for the successful conduct of the ongoing counter insurgency war are provided. The TC further advised the troops to remain focused, disciplined and conduct themselves professionally.
He also visited and commiserated with Wounded-in-Action troops, who are receiving medical attention. The TC was accompanied on the visit by Commander Sector 3, Brigadier General Godwin Mutkut and other Principal Staff Officers from the Theatre Headquarters.
ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations
19 July 2021
