By Victor Akaa.
The Nigerian Army (NA) has graduated 6,000 new recruits from the Depot Nigerian Army in Zaria, as part of its strategic plan to address the country’s security challenges. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, made this known during the Passing Out Parade of the 86th Regular Recruits Intake on Saturday at the RSM Hama-kim Parade Ground, Depot NA.
In a statement issued during the weekend by the Director Army Public Relations Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, General Lagbaja emphasized that the young soldiers will be deployed to various parts of the country to combat insurgency, banditry, farmer-herders clashes, secessionist agitations, and other security threats. He added that the recruits will undergo advanced military training to enhance their skills and master the use of weapons and equipment in the Nigerian Army’s inventory as well as other special soldiering skills to become more proficient in the art of war.
Gen Lagbaja charged the young soldiers not to disappoint the Nigerian Army and the country’s expectations.
The Army Chief also assured that the welfare of the soldiers will be prioritized, including their quartering, medical, recreational, and educational needs. He charged the soldiers to be ready to defend the nation at all costs, emphasizing the values of discipline, loyalty, integrity, and dedication to duty.
“By becoming a soldier, you have accepted the highest call to duty and to abide by the requirements of exceptional discipline, loyalty, integrity, and dedication to duty, all of which are values that have guided your training”, the COAS stated.
The COAS expressed appreciation to the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his strategic guidance and unwavering support to the NA. He equally extended his gratitude to the members of the National Assembly, the Minister of Defence, and the Chief of Defence Staff for their goodwill and support.
After six months of rigorous training at the Depot, four Passing Out Recruits emerged as award winners amongst their peers. The Chief of Army Staff Award, in honour of the overall best recruit, was clinched by Recruit Odo Maurice of Alfa Training Company, while the Chief of Training (Army) Award went to Recruit Obasekemi Ibrahim of Echo Training Company. Recruit Onyema Ozioma of Hotel Training Company bagged the Chief of Administration (Army)Award and the Commandant Depot NA Award was received by Recruit Abubakar Mubarak of Echo Training Company.
The event was attended by dignitaries, including the Governor of Kaduna State, the Emir of Zauzzau, and high-ranking military officers. The Chief of Army Staff also commissioned 40 remodelled flats for the accommodation of soldiers.
Enugu Reporters noted that this development is a significant boost to the Nigerian Army’s capacity to address the country’s security challenges, and demonstrates the Army’s commitment to defending the nation and its citizens.
