Prioritise unity to avoid tribalism, religious prejudice – Sultan to Nigerian Army
The Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, emphasised the importance of unity within the Nigerian Army to prevent tribalism and religious division from undermining its effectiveness.
Speaking at the commissioning of the new headquarters of Nigerian Army Armoured Corps (NAAC) Complex in Bauchi, the Sultan praised the initiative and execution of the project while cautioning against the influence of divisive factors.
Addressing the military personnel present, he noted the dangers of allowing differences in ethnicity, religion, or region to infiltrate the army, stressing the need for cohesion to maintain the unity of both the armed forces and the nation as a whole.
The Sultan called for collaboration between the armoured corps and other security agencies to enhance their collective efforts in addressing the longstanding security challenges across the country, urging a concerted approach to bring peace and stability to affected regions.
In response, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, affirmed the commitment of the Armoured Corps to enhance its operational capabilities and support the overarching mission of safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity.
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Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja noted with delight that the armoured corps and its team have become a reference point in construction in the Nigerian Army as they completed the building of the new headquarters in record time.
“I congratulate you and your men for writing your names in gold for generations to come. Victory is the experience, and as the popular saying goes, money cannot buy experience in the market.
“By virtue of the armoured reunion, the Nigerian Armoured Corps has continued to foster rich history, culture and experience to the younger generation. This pioneer armoured reunion as earlier mentioned by the Commander Armoured Corps was conceived and initiated in 2014,” Lagbaja said.
He recalled that the corps still lives to its expectation of bringing together both serving and the retired seasoned armoured officers to deliberate arms fire solutions on contemporary issues affecting the corps and the larger Nigerian Army.
The Army Chief also expressed gratitude to Governor Bala Mohammed for his administration’s outstanding support to the Armoured Corps and other army formations in Bauchi state, and promised to remain focused in overcoming security challenges.