*Implores retired personnel to fulfill Oath of Allegiance towards defending national territory 

By Ezechukwu Chidozie 

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, on Friday implored disengaged soldiers to fulfil their commitment in defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria as espoused in their oath of allegiance, saying some of them are going to be recalled back to service in order to help fight the ongoing war against terrorism, banditry and other crimes bedeviling the nation.

Speaking during a valedictory buffet organised in honour of year 2021 disengaged soldiers within 82 Division Area of Responsibility in Enugu, Lieutenant General Yahaya, who was represented by General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, further expressed the commitment of his administration to enhancing the welfare of discharged personnel, assuring them of availability of Army health facilities and other welfare institutions across the nation to support both serving and ex personnel.

Informing the former soldiers of the ongoing efforts to re-engage the services of qualified disengaged personnel in other to continue to benefit from their wealth of experience garnered over the years, General Yahaya added: “The Army is still open to your invaluable contributions toward attaining her constitutional mandate and would always welcome your support in that regards.”

Earlier, the GOC 82 Division, Major General Lagbaja, thanked the discharged soldiers for making the Division proud and putting in their best while they served under the Division.

He said: “We are grateful to the COAS for approving this valedictory buffet.

“This particular event, which has come to stay in the activities of the Nigerian Army, is the brain-child of the COAS as he is totally committed to the welfare of troops and discharged soldiers as well”.

 
Responding, Army Warrant Officer Jonas Tambari (retired), who spoke on behalf of the discharged soldiers, appreciated God Almighty for giving the discharged soldiers sound health and mind to attend the valedictory buffet. 

He added that “It is unfortunate we are discharged when the nation is facing security challenges; however, we will continue to give support, advice and guidance when there is a need to do so”.

 
The ceremony was conceived out of the COAS desire to accord befitting send off occasion to all personnel that have served the Nigerian Army and Nation meritoriously and are discharging from active service.

It had its maiden edition in 2021 in Abuja with the official sendoff of retired Major-Generals and Brigadier Generals.