By TOM OKPE
Nigerian Army, the largest component of the Nigerian Armed Forces responsible for land war fare operations, is governed by the Nigeria Army council (NAC), generally perceived as one of the most equipped fighting forces on the African continent.
Though it was founded in 1900 during World War 1, known then as the ‘Royal West African Frontier Force’, British trained Nigeria troops saw action with the 1st West African Division, Infantry Brigade in the East, it has never had it this good under the present management.
The name later metamorphosed to Nigeria Frontier Force and to the present day Nigerian Army in 1963 after Nigeria became a Republic, with 18,000 Infantry battalions and supporting units rose to 126,000 in the three Divisions that were created by the end of the Nigeria civil war in 1970.
It is worthy to note that the first indigenous commissioned officer of the Nigerian Army, Lt. W. U. Bassey, had the famous Nigeria Army Number 1 which is described as N/1.
Other officers commissioned along with him were Lt. Samuel Ademulegun, Lt. Zakariya Maimalari, Lt. Bukar Lawan and Lt. Johnson Thompson Umunakwe Aguiyi Ironsi.
The Nigerian Army celebrates its national day every 15th of January signifying the day the country lost most of her heroes including military and civilians and also the mark of the end of the civil war which claimed many lives and properties in the country.
From inception, The Nigerian Army has been led by many chiefs who include; Maj. Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi, Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon, Lt. Col. Joe Akahan, Maj. Gen. Hassan Katsina, Gen. David Ejoor, Gen. T. Y. Danjuma, Gen. Alani Akinrinade, Gen. Gibson Jalo, Gen. Inuwa Wushishi, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Gen. Sani Abacha and Gen. Salisu Ibrahim.
Others are Gen. Aliyu Gusau, Gen. Chris Alli, Gen. Alwali Kazir, Gen. Ishaya Bamayi, Gen. Victor Malu, Gen. Alex Ogomudia, Gen. Luther Agwai, Gen. Andrew Azazi, Gen. Luka Yusuf, Gen. Abdulrahman Danbazau, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, Gen. Kenneth Minimah and the incumbent, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai.
The 26th Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Buratai was appointed to the prestigious position by President Mohammadu Buhari on the 13th July, 2015.
Born in Buratai town of Biu Local Government of Borno State on November 24th 1960 of a soldier father who fought the Second World War in Burma, the young Buratai started his primary education in Buratai town and proceeded to Government teachers College Potiskum, graduating with distinction.
The Chief of Army Staff went to the School of Basic Studies from where he was admitted to the Nigeria Defence Academy in 1981 at the Regular Course 29.
After successful completion of his mandatory training years, he was commissioned 2nd Lt. of the Nigerian Army on the 17th December, 1983 into the Infantry Corps.
He also obtained his first Degree in History from the University of Maiduguri and a Degree in Philosophy from Bangladesh University of Professionals, Dhaka.
After serving in Administrative and command positions in the Army, he was appointed commander of the multinational joint task force (MJTNF) under the auspices of the Lake Chad Basin Republic, an appointment he held till he was appointed the COAS.
The indefatigable COAS said once in a speech to the officers and men, that his dream is to inculcate discipline, professionalism, es’pirit-de corp and hard work into the system.
In the speech delivered during the 2015 Army Day, he said:“It is also worthy to note that in line with my vision which is to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles; we have made tremendous achievements within the last one year, particularly in protection of human rights.
“Let me reiterate that the Nigerian Army under my leadership will continue to respect all aspects of human rights as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I am particularly glad with the level of dedication of the officers and soldiers in our renewed efforts to combat the current security challenges facing the country. I enjoin you all to continue to do your best in discharging your duties”.
“The Nigeria Army has performed creditably well within the last one year in various spheres of endeavors, improving standard of training, innovations, discipline, excellent civil-Military relations and involvement in internal security in aid to civil authority and peace support operations.
“The high level of infrastructural development across all formations and units of the Nigeria Army is heartwarming. This period has witness remarkable increase in the Nigeria Army equipment holdings and improved maintenance culture since my assumption of office”.
The recent visits of the Nigerian Army led by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai to the Colombian National Army and the Bangladesh Army facilities have further broadened the horizon of the troops on areas of mutual cooperation and collaborations with the two countries in the current fight against terrorism.
In other to keep fit, maintain discipline and esprit de corps among troops to enable them carry out their constitutional rights, the Nigerian Army also engages in extracurricular activities like sporting.
The Army involves its officers and soldiers in a biennial sporting Festival known as the ‘Nigeria Army Sports Festival’ (NASFEST) which ended recently in Abuja.
This is an indication that the Army is not only trained to fight but an all rounder, ‘Jack of all trades and master of all’.
Such sporting events have produced world athletes in both track and field events for Nigeria. A good mention must be made of Col. Abbas who lighted the NASFEST 2016 torchlight; he had participated in world tournaments with Cpl. Edith and others who were at the last Olympics at Rio.
At the just concluded NASFEST 2016, the Minister of Youths and Sports Solomon Dalung said of the Nigeria Army under the leadership of the able COAS.
“We are drawing the curtain on this historic event, which in the past seven years, the Military has not been able to organize especially the Nigerian Army. I have repeatedly emphasized that we wouldn’t have been able to gather here today if there was no good leadership; this attests to the simple fact that good leadership is key and fundamental to development. I want to specifically congratulate the Nigerian Army; I also want to congratulate the athletes for the talents, skills and determination exhibited here. I have no doubt that the talents exhibited here only require a little touch for us to have Olympic materials.
“I want to charge you all to remain committed and dedicated to this country of ours in times like this and stand behind leaders; we must give in our best in whatever capacity, we must show commitment, we must exhibit love, we must demonstrate patriotism because the task of setting the tune of building a great nation can only be done by great minds.
“I want to use this opportunity to congratulate the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari for providing exemplary leadership and to assure Nigerians that the Nigerian military have demonstrated their ability to secure this country again, we are very grateful.
“To the Chief of Army Staff, I pray God to continue to provide him with the strength to develop the technical leadership you have set, to encourage you, to endow you with wisdom so that you can build our soldiers to building a very strong and formidable army. Again before I take my sit, I want to emphasize that the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports is determined to collaborate with the Nigerian Army in order to build and develop sports in Nigeria.
“To the Chief of Army Staff, I pray God to continue to provide him with the strength to develop the technical leadership you have set, to encourage you, to endow you with wisdom so that you can build our soldiers to building a very strong and formidable army. Again before I take my sit, I want to emphasize that the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports is determined to collaborate with the Nigerian Army in order to build and develop sports in Nigeria.
“I will communicate what I have said here in my report to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and I pray when next we shall meet in an occasion like this, our troops would have conquered the war against insurgency and return to the barracks and more soldiers would be involved in the games. We have no other place than Nigeria”.
Okpe an Abuja based journalist, contributed this to AUTHENTIC News Daily
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