The Nigerian Army has reminded its officers and soldiers that the President and the entire nation are relying on their professionalism and sacrifice to improve the country’s security situation.
The Military Secretary (Army), Major General Everest Okoro, spoke on Monday during the 2025 West African Social Activities of the 176 Guards Battalion, held at the General O.A. Azazi Barracks, Gwagwalada, Abuja.
Represented by the Deputy Military Secretary (Army), Maj. Gen. S. Sulaiman, Okoro urged troops to remain committed to their responsibilities and uphold the core values of the Nigerian Army.
According to him, personnel must continue to conduct themselves with loyalty, selfless service, courage, discipline, integrity, and respect for others in the discharge of their duties.
He said, “I equally want to remind you of the need to maintain the core values of the Nigerian Army, which include loyalty, selfless service, courage, discipline, integrity, and respect for others. I want to urge you not to relent in your efforts as you discharge your responsibilities to our dear nation. The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, and the entire nation count on your professionalism and sacrifice to keep improving our country’s security situation, and I believe you will succeed.”
Okoro commended the battalion for the successful conduct of its 2025 training and operational activities, noting that these efforts were critical to enhancing operational readiness and contributing to national security.
“While congratulating you for the successful conduct of 2025 training and operational activities, which culminated in today’s event, I also wish to applaud you all for your level of discipline and dedication to duty during the year.
“Let me seize this opportunity to urge all officers and soldiers to remain proactive in the discharge of their responsibilities in tandem with the direction of the Army chain of command,” he said.
He further highlighted the importance of welfare and morale in sustaining security operations, praising the renovation of the Battalion Headquarters Complex and the electrification of the Mammy Market, which he said would improve working conditions and support effective service delivery.
In his opening remarks, the Chief Host and Commander, Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Adebisi Onasanya, said the event provided an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices and contributions of officers and soldiers over the year while strengthening unity and cohesion within the formation.
Onasanya noted that the commissioning of the renovated Battalion Headquarters Complex and the Mammy Market electrification projects demonstrated the Army’s commitment to improving work environments and welfare, which he described as critical to effective service delivery and sustained security operations.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Commanding Officer of the 176 Guards Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel J.O. Ajongbo, said the 2025 West African Social Activities would also feature the commissioning of completed projects within the barracks.
He disclosed that the Special Guest of Honour would commission the renovated and furnished Battalion Headquarters Complex as well as the Mammy Market electrification project.
According to Ajongbo, the projects were undertaken to improve the working conditions of personnel at the battalion headquarters and support the welfare of soldiers’ spouses who operate shops at the Mammy Market.
The event comes amid ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Army to enhance operational readiness and address security challenges across the country.
Beyond its social and cultural components, the occasion also serves as a platform for leadership engagement, welfare interventions, and the inauguration of projects aimed at improving working and living conditions for personnel, which the Army considers critical to effective service delivery and national security.
