NADCEL 2017: Troops begin humanitarian services in host communities

Stories by Musa Umar bologi
Abuja

As the Nigerian Army begins the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) troops of various formations and units across the country have kick started the activities with humanitarian services in their host communities.
In Chibok, Borno state,roops of 28 Task Force Brigade Nigerian Army rendered free medical service to over 500 people at the Internally Displaced Persons Camp., according to army spokesperson, Bri.-Gen. Sani Kukasheka Usman, in a statement.
He said similar exercise was also conducted in Gwoza, Borno state, where troops of 26 Task Force Brigade conducted environmental sanitation exercise.

“The visibly impressed and elated residents of the town came out enmass to cheer up the troops,” he said.
Usman added that the sanitation exercise ended with a short route march by the troops and the people.
Earlier at a Press Briefing at the Army Headquarters in Abuja, as part of series of activities lined up for this year NADCEL, Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai highlighted the significant of NADCEL in the calendar of the Nigeria Army.

He said: “It offers the Nigerian Army an opportunity to take stock, assess its performances, inter-face with the public and set goals for the succeeding year. It was also on this date precisely on 6 July 1967 that the first shot was fired at Garkem in the present day Cross River State which commenced the unfortunate 30-month long Nigerian Civil War.
“The NADCEL celebration serves to constantly remind us of the supreme sacrifices paid by our gallant troops as well as to showcase the Nigerian Army’s contributions in keeping Nigeria united and indivisible country.

“The celebration is also aimed at projecting the Nigerian Army as an instrument of national unity, integration and development as well as highlighting the achievements, capabilities and positive image of the Nigerian Army. The Nigerian Army will be marking 154 years of its existence, dating back to its inception in 1863.”
Buratai said Nigerian Army has consolidated on the gains of the fight against insurgency and other domestic threats in the past one year, and contributed to the democratic ideals by projecting its image through robust participation in Peace Support and Internal Security Operations.

He said the 2017 NADCEL was organised to sustain the rich history, traditions and values of the Nigerian Army.
“Consequently, the theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Sustaining the Successes of the Nigerian Army in Tackling Contemporary and Emerging Security Challenges’ which is in line with my Vision of having a professionally Responsive Nigerian Army in the Discharge of its Constitutional Roles,” he said.

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