The Olowu of Kuta, Oba Hammed Adekunle Makama Oyelude, has called on Nigerians to commend the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt Gen Olufemi Oluyede for reinvigorating the army.
This was contained a statement issued by his media office in Kuta as the Nigerian Army rounds up its annual Nigerian Army Day Celebrations in Kaduna today.
He said the COAS had inspired confidence in the troops by leading from the front.
The monarch was particularly elated by the statement credited to Lt-Gen Oluyede at the weekend that he had secured the country’s borders from being used by insurgents to launch an attack.
Olowu maintained that the series of successes recorded in recent operations by the army backed by the air components had helped to decimate the hydra-headed insurgency in Nigeria.
While commending Oluyede for protecting the territorial integrity of Nigeria, he said the army should not rest on its oars.
He, however, called on all well-meaning Nigerians to show more love and provide information, where necessary, to troops in order to rid Nigeria of undesirable elements bent on fomenting trouble and balkanising Nigeria.
He said: “I want the COAS, his commanders and troops to know that we are praying for them to succeed. I also pray for the families of those who have paid the supreme sacrifice in order to ensure that our sovereignty is intact.”
The monarch added that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda had also motivated the army to excel in recent times.
But like the popular saying, “the reward of hard work is more work.
“Lt. Gen Oluyede has also assured that the Nigerian Army will not relent in its efforts to ensure the security of the Nigerian people and the perpetuity of our democracy.”
Speaking at a press briefing to herald NADCEL 2025, the COAS said the celebration afforded the Army the opportunity to recognise and honour the heroic contributions of its officers, past and present.
“In recent times, our nation has had to contend with the enemies of peace and agents of chaos, who have brought terrorism to our borders and caused a plethora of internal security issues. Notwithstanding, the Nigerian Army has risen to the occasion to deny these terrorists the opportunity to disrupt our socio-cultural heritage or smear the sanctity of our sovereignty,” he said.