Nigerian Army celebrates 159th Anniversary
By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe
The Nigerian Army has marked the 159th Anniversary of its existence with pomp and pageantry.
The activities which involved prayers in Mosques and churches also had environmental sanitation exercise in the Baracks, Dadinkowa and Gombe line motor parks being carried out as parts of the celebration and free medical outreach in the state.
On Sunday at the Saint Paul’s Military Protestant Church, Army Barack Gombe intercessory prayers were offered to God for sustaining the nation, protection to Army Officers in the field and for their families.
The Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State being represented by his Deputy Governor Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau tasked them to redouble their supports towards peace and security of the country.
The Governor also commended the sacrifices of the military and other security agencies towards protection of the nations sovereignty, lives and properties of citizens.
He also commended their families for having to contend with the challenges of leaving separately and for shouldering all other family challenges all for the interest of the nation.
He enjoined the officers, and all Nigerians to pray relentlessly so that the security challenges militating against the peaceful coexistence of the nation shall be surmounted and allow peace and stability to reign.
The Governor further pointed out the need for the faithfuls to inculcate the spirit of unity and peace in the hearts of their adherents so that, the needed virtues shall begin from the families, churches and extend to the wider society towards progress and sustainable of socio-economics development of the nation.
Speaking, the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Farouk Yahaya, said, the Nigeria Army is celebrating 159th Anniversary of its existence and noted that, the celebration provides opportunity for reflection on the sacrifices made by the Army in the course of executing their constitutional responsibility of protecting the nations sovereignty.
Represented by the Commander 301 Artillery Regiment, General support, Gombe, Col. J.C. Mbanefo said, the Nigeria Army have contributed in the World Wars, recessionist elements, and are also partaking in the fight against insurgency and other criminal activities all of which have caused deaths and other traumatic pains for the officers and their families as a result of which they must be remembered and celebrated.
The Chief of Army Staff stressed the continued provision of the needed conducive working environment like training, equipments update and others for the officers to succeed in carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.
He enjoined the officers to rededicate themselves, to remain loyal and committed to the struggle as it is a fight that must be fought and won by them since they can rely on somebody outside Nigeria to do so.
Rev. Solomon Okorafor delivery his sermon with the theme” Promoting National Unity through Religious Tolerance and Peaceful Coexistence”, stressed the need for tolerance, respect and accommodation of divers interests in the quest for peaceful coexistence.
The Clergy who took his scriptural texts from Second Kings Chapter Five verses One to Nineteen and Psalms One Hundred and Twenty-Seven, verses One to Five charged the congregation and Nigerians to note that, except God guards the nation, in vain do the watchmen labour.
The Reverend in Charge of Saint Paul’s Military Protestant Church, Rev. Father Lieutenant Raymond Alamageni appreciated the Governor and Commander 301 Artillery Regiment for their l supports and all those who took part in the prayers for the Nigerian Army and the nation praying God would answer the prayers and restore the peace and stability in Nigeria.
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