Army head challenges cadets on loyalty and reiterates commitment to democracy

Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has underlined the Nigerian Army’s dedication to upholding and defending democracy in Nigeria.

This was said by Lagbaja on Saturday in Jaji, Kaduna State, at the Executive Commission Course 1/2023, Passing Out Parade and Commissioning/Oath Taking Ceremony.

This was said in a statement released on Saturday in Abuja by Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, director of Army Public Relations.

According to Lagbaja, more democracy is the only option that is better for Nigeria in the present day than democracy.

He claimed that the most popular strategy for fostering military professionalism continues to be the military’s submission to legitimate government.

The COAS stated that regardless of ecclesiastical or religious affiliation, every Nigerian wished for a thriving and unbroken constitutional democracy that served the interests of all well-intentioned citizens.

“I thus order all members of the Nigerian Army to be proud defenders of our thriving democracy and to exercise their constitutional obligations without regard to politics.

The Nigerian army is still dedicated to protecting people’s lives and property nationwide.

He declared, “We are working assiduously to safeguard the nation’s territorial integrity and support pertinent security services in preserving the protection of people and property inside the nation.

Maj.-Gen. Oluyemi Olatoye, the Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, who oversaw the cadets’ training, claimed that the commissioned officers had received the training they needed to be effective officers.

Olatoye claimed that the newly commissioned officers had received training to be devoted, brave, and loyal to the country.

Nwachukwu said in the statement that the Oath of Allegiance was then administered to the graduating cadets after the COAS had granted them Presidential Commission to the rank of Lieutenant.

After three months of rigorous military training, the 239 graduating cadets—228 men and 12 women—were chosen for executive commissioning and were already serving as soldiers from various corps.

He claimed that three cadets stood out among their peers with flying colours.

According to merit, Cadet A Saminu took the top spot, followed by Cadet SC Nwokanta in second place and Cadet OY Yahaya in third.

The presentation of the Parchment of Commission to the newly commissioned Officers was the event’s high point.

The COAS “paid an empathy visit to officers and soldiers who were wounded in action during operational engagements at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, following the Commissioning ceremony.”