In a recent press briefing, Chief of Army Staff Major General Taoreed Lagbaja emphasized the importance of resolving Nigeria’s problems through peaceful means rather than resorting to violence.
The briefing took place ahead of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL), an annual event celebrated on July 6th. Major General Lagbaja highlighted that this date also marks the start of the Nigerian Civil War.
Representing the Army Chief at the briefing, Major General Emeka Victor Onomajuru, Chief of Special Services and Programmes Army, stated that NADCEL was first celebrated in 1978 in Lagos. This year’s event will be hosted by the 2 Division Nigerian Army in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
This year’s NADCEL marks over 160 years of the Nigerian Army’s evolution since its establishment in 1863. The event aims to showcase the Army as a unifying force for national development and highlight its capabilities.
The Chief of Army Staff reflected on the significance of NADCEL, stating, “The day also marks the day the very first shot of the war was fired at Garkem in the present-day Cross River State. It is set aside by the Nigerian Army to remind us about our past and the slogan, ‘No victor, no vanquished,’ emphasizing our unity in diversity, the love we share in diversity, and brotherhood in diversity.”
During the week-long NADCEL, the Nigerian Army will evaluate its performance, engage with the public, and establish goals for professional growth. The theme of this year’s celebration, scheduled from July 1st to July 6th, is “Sound Administration as a Panacea for Effective Military Operations.”
The event will showcase the Army’s operational activities, as well as its innovations, research and development initiatives, civil-military relations, and technological advancements. The goal is to demonstrate the Army’s vital role in national unity and development.
The activities planned for NADCEL 2023 include a special Jumma at Prayers, a Golf Tournament, Interdenominational Church Services, a Free Medical Outreach, public engagement visits to secondary schools, courtesy calls to government officials, Research Development and Historical Exhibitions, and a grand finale Gala Night.
The Nigerian Army’s call for peaceful resolution to national issues serves as a reminder of the importance of dialogue and unity in overcoming challenges. As the nation prepares to commemorate NADCEL, it is an opportunity to reflect on the Army’s contributions to Nigeria’s development and consider peaceful solutions to ongoing issues.
