The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to prioritising soldiers’ welfare, emphasising that the “Soldier First” concept was central to his command philosophy.
Oluyede said this during the Interdenominational Church Service to mark the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2025, on Sunday in Abuja.
He said the theme for the 2025 NADCEL was deliberately crafted as “Developing the Soldier First Concept: Imperative for Nigerian Army Transformation Drive”.
“At this juncture, I want to reaffirm that our soldiers constitute the pillars that uphold the strength of the Nigerian Army as we advance the divine calling to protect peace, justice and the dignity of all Nigerian people.
“It is on this foundation that the fundamentals of sound administration, which is central to my Command Philosophy, will continue to place our soldiers first.
“As the Nigerian army progresses into the future with this noble aspiration, the unity of thought, as a policy, will continue to upgrade the quality of our operations through improved training, acquisition of modern equipment and enhancement of operational and administrative processes,” he said.
The COAS expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, for his leadership and strategic guidance.
He also thanked sister services, heads of various government institutions and other security agencies and well-meaning Nigerians for their unwavering support to the Nigerian army family in discharging its constitutional roles across the country.
“To our dear families, you remain exceptionally dear to our hearts, as you play the irreplaceable role of holding the home front.
“Please be assured that we continue to draw strength from your prayers and endearment.
“You are always there to provide succour as we bear the pain of loss and nurse the wounds of battle and for this, we owe you an immeasurable debt of gratitude.
“To our religious fathers who have always been the voice of reason that guides the broken, the lost and the frail, I urge you to continue to speak for peace, truth and justice as we navigate through the myriad of challenges facing us collectively.
“Now, more than ever, do our troops need your encouragement and inspiration.
In his sermon, the Acting Director, Chaplain Services (Protestant), Lt.-Col. Martins Amuluche, emphasised the importance of loyalty, urging soldiers to remain committed to God, upholding their faith and values.
Amuluche also urged them to remain dedicated to the Nigerian army while serving the country with integrity and patriotism
He also highlighted the need for the Army to prioritise the welfare of its soldiers, suggesting that a transformed army begins with caring for its personnel. (NAN)
