Nigeria Content Online

The federal government will continue to support the Nigerian
Army as it deepens the professionalism of its officers and works to strengthen
democracy and freedom in the country, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan said
yesterday at this year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL), which held at
the Eagle Square, Abuja.

Mr. Jonathan, who warned that ethnic and religious bigotry in
the nation’s army could compromise its integrity and virtues, and endanger the
nation’s democracy, if not checked, cautioned officers and soldiers of the Nigerian
Army to shun all forms of ethnic and religious sentiments in the discharge of
their duties.

“In defending the peace today, we are faced with new challenges
as exemplified in skirmishes within the nation,” he said. “We must remember
that some of the greatest dangers to our democracy and freedom are shrouded in
the perils of ethnicity and religious intolerance. These evils threaten our
very existence as one sovereign and indivisible nation.”

The president, who urged the leadership of the Nigerian Army to
“discourage such sentiments and encourage our men to see each other as brothers
in the pursuit of a common destiny,” commended the Nigerian Army for its
loyalty and subordination to civil authority, while pledging that his
administration will do more to improve the welfare of its officers and men.

Mr. Jonathan enjoined the nation’s Armed Forces to continue to
maintain the high level of professionalism, which has earned Nigeria a good
name and enhanced her status in the international community.

He said that with the high expectation from African nations in
peacekeeping, Nigeria remains committed to international security and will
continue to work in close collaboration with these nations to promote peace,
stability, and development on the African continent and the globe.

The president, who urged the Armed Forces to forestall any
breach of the nation’s territorial integrity at all times, said it must be
vigilant and alert to support the police in maintaining peace when called upon.

Awards presentations

He added that government will build on the peace efforts of
late president, Umaru Yar’Adua, in the Niger Delta region by providing
infrastructural development, but called on the Armed Forces to “guard against
economic saboteurs and their international collaborators who constantly plot to
deny the nation of her resources and heritage.”

President Jonathan presented 14 Distinguished Post Service
Medals to deserving awardees, comprising seven retired and seven serving soldiers.
Some of the awardees are the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar; the Primate of
the Anglican Communion in Nigeria, Nicholas Okoh; and anti-corruption activist,
Ishola Williams (rtd).

He also later commissioned the Nigerian Army Headquarters
Command Officers’ Mess in Asokoro District.

The Chief of Army Staff, Abdurahman Dambazau, thanked Mr.
Jonathan for his “deep commitment” to the efficiency and professionalism of the
Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces in general and pledged the army’s unalloyed
loyalty to the president and the Nigerian people.

The occasion witnessed colourful parades and regimental
displays by battalions of the Nigerian Army, as well as the presentation of the
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Commendation Award to six officers and nine soldiers.

“We are recognising the post-service achievements of some
retired officers and discharged soldiers. These are also part of the efforts
toward motivating our personnel who have disengaged from military service,” Mr.
Dambazau said. “The NADCEL is a period earmarked in retrospect to assess our
achievements vis-à-vis our constitutional duties. This year’s celebration is
indeed grand, and rightly more so, as we enjoy the spirit of our growing
uninterrupted democracy.”

He added that the army had contributed immensely to the
provision of “security ambience” for national values to thrive.

“The past 11 years of our nascent democratic experience had
very profound challenges on our status as the oldest and most versatile
component of the national instrument for ensuring the inviolability of
Nigeria’s territory and the maintenance of internal peace and security. The
challenges within the context of international dynamics are helping to reshape
our focus and form, as amplified in our transformation programme,” Mr. Dambazau
said.

He said the focus of the army’s leadership was currently on
effective utilisation of available resources, adherence to military values,
effective command and control, observance of the rule of law, and excellent
civil-military relations.