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…says over 50,000 army personnel children on scholarship
It was another historic moment for the Nigerian Army today, 27th April, 2023 and for the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mohammedu Buhari, as he retired some colours and presented new ones to Army units in a Trooping and Presentation Parade held at the Eagle Square, Abuja.
With about 33 days to hand over to a new government after eight years of his administration, President Buhari adorned Army uniform with the rank of a Field Marshall, a rank that has been worn only by Presidents in the Nigerian Army. He left no stone unturned as a former Head of State.
The ceremony heralded with parade by detachment of soldiers saw the retirement of torn or worn out colours while the President presented the National and Regimental Colours to the newly established and operationalized Nigerian Army Units in line with the increased operational commitments of the NA in consonance with Extant Order of Battle (ORBAT).
With 53 Colours retired, 28 colours were presented to new Nigerian Army Units as part of the customs and traditions of the Army while a total of 81 units participated in the Parade.
In his remarks as the Special Guest of Honour and Reviewing Officer, President Buhari said the ceremony would boost the morale of troops and enhance the zeal to discharge their constitutional mandate.
He further noted that “In line with my resolve to cater for the families of deceased personnel, over 50,000 children and wards of personnel who died in active service are on the Nigerian Army scholarship from 2015 to date.”
In infrastructural development, he explained that his administration has made efforts to surmount the deficit in accommodation and other amenities. However, as the strength of the Army increases, social interventions were made to construct new barracks accommodation and renovate the old ones.
“At the moment, new barracks construction are ongoing at the Mohammedu Buhari Barracks, Abuja and in other army barracks across the country for offices and residential.”
While commending the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya and other service chiefs, the President added that “the Nigerian Army we celebrate today wouldn’t have been able to discharge its responsibilities optimally including today’s Trooping and Presentation of colours without the collaborative efforts of Service Chiefs.”
He applauded Nigerians for their untiring efforts for the sustainance of peace and security of our nation.
It was learnt that the historic ceremony of retirement of colours was first experienced in 1922 when the then British Monarch, His Majesty, King John V awarded Colours to each battalion of the Nigerian Regiments that formed part of the British West African Frontier Forces (WAFF) in recognition of their services.
It would be recalled that the last time retirement and presentation of colours held was on April 19th, 2007 and was presented by President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.
Since then, new units have been established and operationalized in line with the increasing operational commitments of the NA as well as provisions of extant NA ORBAT.
However, Colours are usually retired after 10 years of service.
It was gathered that most of the Colours in the NA have been involved in multiple operations in various geopolitical zones of the Country as well as foreign countries, hence deserving retirement and the presentation of new Colours.
The ceremony at the Eagle Square had in attendance the former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the Chief of Naval Staff and Airforce counterpart, Vice Admiral Awuul Zubairu Gambo Air Marshall Amao, members of the National and Executive Council, Governors of the States benefitting Units, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Service Chiefs, past Chief of Army Staffs, senior military officers both serving and retired, captains of industries as well as other important dignitaries.
The colour presentation ceremony marked an important milestone in the annals of the Nigerian Army, and a fitting rewards to the units for outstanding professionalism and gallantry, and a testimony to the campaigns and missions in which they have participated.
