President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, has restated his administration’s unwavering commitment to the welfare and operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Armed Forces. Speaking at the Grand Finale of the 162nd Nigerian Army Day Celebration held in Kaduna, President Tinubu assured military personnel of continuous investment in modern equipment, intelligence, and capacity building. He emphasized that the nation’s duty is to equip and empower those who defend its sovereignty.

Applauding the theme of this year’s celebration, “Developing the Soldier First Concept: Imperative for Nigerian Army’s Transformation Drive”, the President noted that the strength of any army lies in the quality of its soldiers. He commended the Nigerian Army for prioritizing the well-being and morale of its personnel, adding that a great army begins with strong soldiers whose courage and sense of purpose form the bedrock of national security.

President Tinubu also paid tribute to fallen heroes and active servicemen for their sacrifices, both at home and on global peacekeeping missions. He acknowledged the complex security challenges Nigeria faces including terrorism, insurgency, and separatist threats and charged the armed forces to rise to the task with full presidential backing. “You have my full authorization and the trust of the Nigerian people to confront and defeat those who seek to undermine our nation,” he declared.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, in his remarks, reaffirmed the army’s commitment to defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity with professionalism, courage, and modern capabilities. He thanked President Tinubu for his support and called on field commanders to remain bold and focused on operational success. The event was attended by top dignitaries including former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Governor Uba Sani, defence ministers, and senior military officers.