Over 6,000 Recruits of the 85 Regular Recruit Intake (RRI), on Saturday, passed out from Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria, Kaduna State at a colourful parade.
A statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said the journey to soldering by the 6,315 passing-out Recruits, began after successfully undergoing a painstaking selection process, and reporting for training at the Depot Nigerian Army on June 3, 2023, culminating in Saturday’s Passing Out Parade (POP).
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, felicitated with the young soldiers for the successful completion of their training, describing it as qualitative, realistic and tailored to meet contemporary security needs of the country.
Gen. Lagbaja reiterated that in tandem with his Command philosophy “to transform the Nigerian Army into a force, well trained, equipped and highly motivated towards achieving its constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment”, troops’ training and welfare are top most priorities under his command.
He reaffirmed that the Nigerian Army will continue to give troops’ training and welfare the priority it deserve, adding that currently emphasis is on the renovation of accommodation facilities that are in deplorable state, while efforts were also being made to provide additional ones.
“Our soldiers deserve the best accommodation we can provide, when they are not in the frontline as incentives for their sacrifices.”
The COAS also maintained that under his stewardship, the Nigerian Army was improving its medical facilities, to make them more suitable to handle all battle casualties arising from operational engagements.
He reminded the young soldiers that soldiering is a life of sacrifice to country, allegiance to defend and if need be, pay the supreme price.
“As you pass out today, you have accepted the highest call to duty, any Nigerian can take up,” he declared.
In the presentation of awards that followed, the Indian Training Company, among others, emerged the Champion Company and received the Depot Nigerian Army Champion Banner, while Recruit Abdullahi Abubakar bagged the Chief of Army Staff Award for coming top amongst his mates, Recruit Ugwu Clifford clinched the Commandant Depot Nigerian Army Award, Recruit Ideba Love won the Chief of Administration (Army) Award, while the Chief of Training (Army) Award went to Recruit Edet Samuel.
The COAS solicited the support of royal fathers of the traditional institution for the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in ensuring that enduring peace and harmony reign in their domains.
He made the plea when he paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamali, at his palace in Zaria.
He commiserated with the Emir and good people of Zazzau Emirate on the recent passing of their illustrious son and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Morocco, Alhaji Mansur Nuhu Bamalli, and prayed for divine fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
The royal father, in his remarks, gave his blessings to the COAS and assured of his support and that of his Emirate to the Nigerian Army.