Gombe Deputy Gov, Commander 301 Artillery Regiment, officers join in the celebration of Nigerian Army Day
….remembers contributions of the Army towards restoring peace, unity, progress in the country
…as they pray for the leadership, nation and all security agencies for successful execution of responsibilities
The Gombe State Deputy Governor, Dr Manassah Daniel Jatau, in company of his wife Deborah and the Commander 301 Artillery Regiment, Col.A.O. Ndah, on Sunday joined officers of the Nigerian Army to celebrate their day at the Saint Paul’s Protestant Military Church, Army Barack Gombe.
The celebration took place during an interdenominational church service where songs rendition rent the air to the glory of God, and prayers offered to God for peace, unity and progress to prevail in the land after passing through great challenges in the past and still battling with some, currently.
In a goodwill message at the occasion, the Deputy Governor appreciated the military and other security agencies in the state and the nation for sacrifices made to secure Nigeria.
He also commended their contributions in securing the state, and making the state to be declared as the safest state in the country, calling on them to sustain the vigour, tempo and success for it to maintain the position.
Jatau said, “I salute you and bring greetings, goodwill and gratitude of His Excellency, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, for your prayers, before, during, and after the general elections which came and passed. Secondly, His Excellency is grateful for the support and partnership of the Army and other law enforcement agencies in the state and beyond. The government and the people appreciate the role the Army is playing to combat and restore peace in many troubled communities. These efforts have yielded results and made Gombe to be awarded with the safest state award. I enjoin you to maintain the resilience, vigour and tempo for us to maintain this position.”
The Deputy Governor noted with concern the rising spate of wickedness, posing a great deal of challenges against the socio-economic development of the state and the nation, pointing out that, these are clearly signs of the end time as recorded in the bible.
” Even though the intercessory prayers, the joint band songs, and particularly the Christian Women Fellowship admonished us to pray, permit me to request again that, we must pray more than ever before.
” This is because we are now in the perilous times mentioned in 2 Timothy 3;1. Leading Ecclesiastes 12;1b, to say ” I have no pleasure in them . Based on the behaviour of some persons recruited in our security services, only God can save us us from their type.That a security personnel just last week drugged his colleagues with the intention to kill them, took the arms and sold to bandits is pointer that all is not well. We must begin begin a psychological test for our security personnel to ascertain their mental health. The love of money as well made has made people to be so wicked,” Jatau added.
He reiterated the need for consolidated prayers for the nation and particularly the security agencies to be able to perform their duties judiciously for the best interest of all.
In his remarks, the Commander 301 Artillery Regiment, Col. A. O. Ndah said the Nigerian Army Day Celebration ( NADCEL) was designed to offer prayers the opportunity to pray for Nigerian leaders, the Army, and all security bodies fighting for Nigeria.
He said, “the 6th of july has been set aside for the celebration and the interdenominational service is part of the series of activities lined up for the Celebration.”
Ndah further explained that the day takes it’s root from the outbreak of the civil war, and designed to remind Nigerians of their past, and the need to address challenges peacefully.
He added, ” Nigerian Army Day Celebration ( NADCEL) is held annually on the 6th of July. It is to celebrate the very day civil war broke. We celebrate to remind ourselves about our past and the need to address our problems peacefully. It also reminds us of the slogan ” no victor, no vanguish” because It reminds us of the love, brotherhood we share in diversity. We remember all those who passed away in all the Military operations in and outside the shores on Nigeria”.
He appreciated Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, and good people of Gombe State for the support given to the Nigerian Army to be able to perform their constitutional responsibilities of protecting the nation’s territorial integrity.
Delivering the sermon, Warrant Officer, (Rev.) Usman Babangida spoke on the topic ” victory comes from God alone” where he admonished the soldiers to trust in God and avoid compromising their godly and professional standards to be victorious in carrying out their duties.
Drawing his texts from 2 nd Kings chapter 5; verse 15-27 and luke chapter 3 verse 11-15 the Clergyman and military officer said the reason for the challenges facing Nigeria is because Nigerians have refused to seek the divine presence of God by shunning evil.
Also drawing reference from the story of Gideon, the Clergy man explained that, winning a battle is not a function of the number of soldiers, nor of sophisticated equipment but trusting in the power of God to deliver.
The events also featured special prayer for Nigeria, it’s leaders, people and all security agencies for Gods guidance, protection and blessings.
Wilson Jonah Yakubu
Press Secretary/ Information Officer,
Deputy Governor’s Office.
