Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen Faruk Yahaya says the 5,800 newly recruited soldiers will be posted to various theatre operations to tame persistent insecurity bedevilling some parts of the country.
Lt.-Gen Faruk Yahaya made this know during the Passing out Parade (PoP) of the 82 Regular Recruit Intake on Saturday in Zaria.
Yahaya, who was the Special Guest of Honour and Reviewing Officer of the occasion said the recruited soldiers would be posted to relevant areas where they would be required, therefore, “it is a clear message to criminals, whether they are bandits, kidnappers or terrorists.
He, therefore, urged the new soldiers to maintain a high standard of professionalism and remain good ambassadors of the Depot Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
“I wish to state that these security challenges can only be surmounted by the collective resolve and effort of every officer and soldier of the Nigerian Army including those of you passing out today,’’ the Chief of Army Staff added.
Lt.-Gen Faruk Yahaya also advised the new soldiers to apply the mental, physical and moral training acquired over the past few months as well as those they would be exposed to, at their respective units, formations and corps.
He noted that they were expected to uphold the Nigerian Army Core Values of Loyalty, Selfless Service, Courage, Discipline, Integrity and Respect for Others which are sacred to all our personnel.
“These values along with other cherished ethos of the Nigerian Army if well imbibed and upheld will help you attain great heights in your chosen career,” he explained.
The army chief also advised the soldiers on the importance of the Oath of Attestation they have sworn to.
“By this oath you are under obligation to remain loyal to constituted authorities at all times and place the interest of the nation ahead of your personal convictions’’.
He noted that Depot Nigerian Army since its establishment in 1924 had borne the responsibility of moulding selected able-bodied citizens into well-trained and disciplined soldiers to meet the manpower demands of the Nigerian Army.
The Chief of Army Staff emphasised that the training was also in cognizance of his vision of having “A Professional Nigerian Army Ready to Accomplish Assigned Missions within a Joint Environment in Defence of Nigeria”.
Radio Nigeria reports that the COAS also commissioned and inspected numerous projects at the Depot NA and Army School of Military Police Basawa Zaria.
COV/HALLIRU HANZA
