In line with the 159th anniversary of the Nigerian army , the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Farouk Yahaya, has urged officers to enhance their vigilance and avoid collaborating with enemies of the state.
He spoke yesterday at an inter-denominational church service held at the St Mark’s Military Church, 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze Barracks, Owerri, Imo State.
The church service was part of activities marking the Nigerian Army Day Celebrations for 2022.
Speaking on the theme ‘Promoting National Unity through Religious Tolerance and Peaceful Co-existence’, Yahaya, represented by the Corps Commander, Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu, took lessons from the reading of Psalm 127:1.
He attributed the professional successes of the army to divine backing, among other things.
“As we celebrate the 159th anniversary of the Nigerian army, we must know that our ability to professionally surmount our numerous challenges is evidence of divine backing; God has been our compass bearer in all these years.
“I wish to most humbly thank President Muhammadu Buhari for his tremendous support which has raised the morale of our troops as well as our legislative and judiciary arms for their support and encouragement to the Nigerian army,” he said.
Acting Director of Chaplain Services (Roman Catholic) of the Nigerian Army, Very Rev. Fr Anthony Maimagani, has restated the importance of Nigeria’s unity over individual religious and ethnic inclinations.
In his homily, Maimagani advised officers to obey constituted authority, noting that it is a core aspect of military training and discipline.