The Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Christopher Musa, has felicitated with troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and their families on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.
In a goodwill message issued on his behalf by the acting director of Defence Information Brig.- Gen. Tukur Gusau, the CDS commended the troops for their “selfless sacrifice, commitment, doggedness and determination towards dislodging existential threats to the unity, security, stability and peace of the country.”
Similarly, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, has praised the troops for their commitment and sacrifice towards combating emerging security challenges in the various theatres of operations across the country.
Musa said, “The symbolic values and virtues of unflinching faith and total sacrifice which the Eid-el-Kabir festival exemplifies also hold true for the supreme sacrifices which our defiant and courageous soldiers continue to make in the face of challenges to the peace, unity and sovereignty of the nation.”
He assured the troops of support as they continue to discharge their constitutional duties across the nation.
General Musa thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support to the military and commitment towards repositioning the economy and reforms in the security sector.
He pledged unalloyed loyalty of the armed forces to the new administration.
The CDS also commended Nigerians for their support for the military and urged them to continue to “show more faith in the zeal and ability of our troops to effectively combat threats to the security and stability of our dear nation.
“Your trust and confidence in our armed forces as collective partners and stakeholders in securing our nation cannot be overemphasised. The security and stability of our nation is the sacred and collective responsibility of all Nigerians,” he said.
In his goodwill message signed by the director of Army Public Relations Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu to troops and their families to mark Eid-el-Kabir 2023, the army chief thanked God for protection and guidance.
He said 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.
The COAS stated the season brings to remembrance the supreme sacrifice the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army make on a daily basis to ensure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation is preserved at all times.
Gen Lagbaja said the celebration also embodies courage, selfless service, discipline, integrity, respect for others, and loyalty, which he described as the core values of the Nigerian Army.
He urged the troops to leverage the spirituality of the occasion to pray for the Nigerian Army, as it strives to combat security challenges in all theatres of operations in the country.
The Army chief, who recently assumed office as the 23rd COAS, said 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 philosophy: “ To transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, equipped, and highly motivated force towards achieving our constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment”.
The COAS lauded the troops deployed in ongoing operations within and outside the shores of the country for their sacrifice.
“In the course of my career, I witnessed in different capacities, your efforts and sacrifices, therefore, I have no doubt about the zeal and commitment of our troops in ensuring the success of the Nigerian Army in combating the complex, multifaceted, and unpredictable security threats bedeviling our country, alongside our sister services, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other security agencies,” he stated.
Gen Lagbaja said he would provide the needed leadership and consolidate on prior achievements of the army 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.
