From Tony John, Port Harcourt
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has called on Nigerians to support and encourage the military in its commitment to secure the country.
Lieutenant General Oluyede made the call when he hosted frontline troops of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, to his special Eid-el-fitri celebration luncheon in Port Harcourt, Rivers State yesterday.
He noted the sacrifices made by Nigerian soldiers in securing the nation and protecting critical national assets, and enjoined citizens to always remember them and their families, especially in time of celebration like Eid-el-fitri.
The COAS averred that the relative peace experienced in parts of the country, with emphasis on Niger Delta region, is attributable to the doggedness of the troops, who put their lives on the line to protect the citizens and national assets from external forces.
Lieutenant General Oluyede, who was represented by the Commander, Nigerian Army Training and Doctrine Command, Major General Kevin Aligbe, stated that the festive period called for bonding as an indivisible nation.
He said: “This year’s Ramadan, which coincided with the Lenten season, served as a valuable reminder of the importance of unity, mutual respect and peaceful co-existence as a nation.
“Eid-el-fitr is not just a time of celebration, but a call to strengthen our bonds as one people, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or background.
“Our nation’s stability and security depends on our collective resolve, cooperation and unyielding spirit.
“As we commemorate this festive occasion, pray for Nigeria’s continued progress, unity, and prosperity.”
The COAS encouraged the troops, saying, “Your commitment and dedication to duty during this holy period deserves the highest recognition. While many are celebrating with their families, our troops remained at their duty posts across the various theatres of operations to safeguard our beloved nation with unwavering resolve.
“This celebration is a moment to show gratitude to God for life,
peace and stability which we have been able to maintain across the country through your sacrifices in the different theatres of operations
despite the grave dangers you face.
“Your sacrifices have ensured the
security of our country, demonstrating your resilience, courage and professionalism while discharging your responsibilities.”
He assured: “In keeping with the tenets of my Command Philosophy, I remain committed to strengthening the operational capacity, welfare and combat readiness of our troops. This underscores the vital role of
discipline, professionalism and inter-agency collaboration, all of which are crucial in tackling the contemporary security challenges confronting our nation.”
In his welcome address, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, commended the troops for their commitment to securing oil installations in the Niger Delta region.
Major General Emekah expressed: “The luncheon is organized to appreciate the sacrifices of our troops. This is in line with the COAS Command Philosophy, which has sound administration, anchored on welfare as one of its main pillars.
“Today, we are essentially here to say thank you for the good job you are doing for this great nation. Let me also add that it is on record that our operational activities have yielded the desired effect as evident in the surge in oil production quota for a relatively consistent period.”
Major General Emekah, who was represented by the Commander, 6 Division Garrison/Commander Sector 3 Operation Delta Safe, Brigadier General Sani Ahmed, urged the troops to sustain the tempo for the good of the nation.
He assured: “I would also like to reassure the good people of Rivers State and the entire Niger Delta region, that 6 Division shall continue to conduct its operations in line with the best interest of the people and the nation.
“We pledge to continue to protect oil and gas infrastructure and deter crude oil theft and other criminality within the Joint Operation Area (JOA).”
In his goodwill message, Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, noted Nigerian Army as a globally respected force, saying that it has continued to evolve in warfare dynamics and operational preparedness despite the myriads of economic and security challenges bedeviling the
country.
The sole administrator, who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Ibibia Worika, said: “It is obvious that the current security challenges in the country are dynamic involving the use of both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches which require multi-faceted strategies to tackle effectively.
“I am equal happy to note that in recent times the Nigerian Army has continued swiftly to adopt new strategies in collaboration with sister services and security agencies to contain the security threats across the country.
“The efforts of the Nigerian Army in this regard, particularly in the protection of oil and gas facilities in Rivers State and across the Niger Delta region, deserve special mention.
“The successful conduct of this onerous task has improved the oil production level with attendant positive effects on the
economic fortunes of the country, which would have been difficult if not impossible to achieve without the dedication and sacrifice of our troops.