The Chief of Army Staff, COAS Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has charged all Nigerian Army Personnel to use this Easter Celebration to offer prayers against all forms of negative forces militating against the peace and progress of our dear Nation.
General Lagbaja who felicitate with officers, soldiers, and civilian staff of the Nigerian Army, as well as our family members, gave this charge in his goodwill message, personal signed by him on the occasion of Easter Celebration 2024. "This year's Easter Celebration is unique in that it coincides with the Ramadan fast which allows Christians and Muslims alike to reflect on God's abundant grace on our nation, Nigeria and reminds us of the duties and sacrifices we must make towards God, humanity, and our beloved country." he said
According to the COAS he hope that the spiritual exercise of the Lenten Season and the lessons learnt will imbue in personnel with greater zeal and dedication to our constitutional duties.
He noted that while still grieving the recent unwarranted and gruesome murder of some personnel in Okuama Community of Delta State, which occurred on 14 March 2024, he urged officers and men of the NA to remain steadfast, diligent, and committed to the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.
General Lagbaja encouraged them to continue to pray for the repose of the souls of departed officers and soldiers who paid the supreme price for the noble cause of keeping the beloved country safe. He pledged to continue to prioritize the welfare of officers, soldiers, and families, including those of departed personnel.
He congratulated officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for witnessing the Year 2024 Easter Celebration and urged then to Continue to espouse the values and virtues of love, peace, and sacrifice in the discharge of our constitutional responsibilities.
"ln line with my Command Philosophy, 'To transform the Nigerian Army into a Well-trained, Equipped and Highly Motivated Force Towards Achieving our Constitutional Responsibilities', I have ensured the implementation of quality training and equipping toward combating the myriads of security threats confronting the nation.
"Accordingly, under my leadership, the Nigerian Army has continued to record tremendous successes in various operations at home and abroad. You all can attest to our achievements so far, especially in the ongoing Operation HADIN KAI in the North East and other internal security operations nationwide.
"As we continue to push towards the final onslaught on the adversaries troubling our nation, I assure you that the welfare of officers and soldiers, including training and provision of the needed equipment, will always be prioritized to enable us to discharge our constitutional responsibilities effectively."he said
The COAS also in his goodwill message acknowledged and thanked all officers and soldiers, for their doggedness in tackling the numerous security challenges bedeviling the Nation.
"You have displayed much commitment, courage, resilience, and professionalism. For this, I say well done and charge you not to rest on your oars until we have eliminated all forms of threat to our country."he affirmed
The Army Chief therefore thanked his Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, for his continuous support to the Nigerian Army and the confidence reposed in him to lead the great Army at this period in Nation's history.
"I wish to reaffirm our unalloyed loyalty in the defence the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and our fatherland. The Nigerian Army remains committed, determined, and focused on ensuring the total defeat of insurgents, marauding bandits, and all other forms of external and internal aggressions disturbing the peace of the country.
"While urging all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army to use the season to pray for our continued successes, I wish our Christian faithful and, indeed, all Nigerian Army personnel and their families a wonderful and Happy Easter Celebration. Thank you and God bles