Tinubu pledges unwavering support for armed forces at 162nd army day celebration
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Abdullateef Fowewe
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s steadfast commitment to the welfare and operational capacity of the Nigerian Armed Forces, vowing continued investment in modern equipment, intelligence, and human capital to ensure the military remains well-armed and effective.
This was obtained in a statement on Sunday, Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications (Office of The Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha.
Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Grand Finale of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration in Kaduna on Sunday, Tinubu declared, “To the men and women of the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces more broadly, I reaffirm my administration’s unwavering commitment to your welfare and operational capacity.
“We will continue to invest in modern equipment, in intelligence, and in the human capital that drives your effectiveness. This is not a favour. It is a duty owed to those who defend us.”
Applauding the event’s theme, “Developing the Soldier First Concept: Imperative for Nigerian Army’s Transformation Drive,” Tinubu emphasised the centrality of the soldier in national security establishing, “You cannot build a great army without first building strong soldiers.
“Their welfare, morale, equipment, and sense of purpose are not afterthoughts. They are the bedrock of national security. I commend your commitment to placing the soldier at the centre of reform, and I assure you that this administration stands firmly with you on that path.”
The President paid tribute to the enduring sacrifice of Nigerian troops, both at home and on international peacekeeping missions.
“Today, we honour the enduring sacrifice of these men and women. We honour those who have paid the supreme price. And we honour those who continue to wear the uniform, who continue to stand at the gates of our democracy, shielding us from those who would tear it down,” he added.
Addressing the nation’s security challenges, Tinubu called for unity and resolve in the face of terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and separatist threats, “And let it be said plainly: these evils do not discriminate by tribe or faith. They destroy churches and mosques alike. They abduct children without asking where they worship. Therefore, our response must be united, firm, and uncompromising.”
He charged the troops to rise to the occasion, assuring them of his “full authorisation and the trust of the Nigerian people to confront and defeat those who seek to undermine our nation.”
Tinubu extended sympathy to the families of fallen soldiers, promising their memory would endure.
“Some of them now lie in silence beneath the soil of a grateful nation, while others still nurse the wounds of war as living reminders of the sacrifices made in our name,” he stated.
He urged all Nigerians to recognize that nation-building is a collective responsibility, stating, “We have no other country but Nigeria, and we must not mortgage her future to division, indifference, or delay.”
Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, highlighted the Army’s transformation and resilience, noting, “The Nigerian Army of today is not only resilient but also armed with modern and state-of-the-art equipment, platforms and capabilities to confront as well as deter any threat to the country.”
He called on field commanders to be “bold, strong, ingenious and audacious,” and reassured citizens that military operations are designed to protect, not oppress.
The event was attended by former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru, and other top government and military officials, underscoring the significance of the occasion.
