•••As Nigerian Army Holds Public Speaking Engagement At Ibadan Grammar School Molete

Kazeem Awojoodu, Ibadan

The Chief Of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Toareed Lagbaja has on Tuesday called on Nigerian youth to be disciplined, loyal, and patriotic to their country.

Lagbaja who was the Special Guest at the public speaking engagement for students of Ibadan Grammar School Molete Ibadan urged the students to renew their faith in the country (Nigeria).

The Nigerian Army Day Celebration is an annual event held on 6 July in honour of members of the Nigerian Army for their role in defending the nations territorial integrity. As part of the events lined up for the year 2024 celebration, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tareed Lagbaja approved a public speaking engagement with secondary school students across the country.

The Chief of Army Staff, who was ably represented at the event by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division Nigerian Army Headquarters, Major General Obinna Onubogu called on teachers and parents to always guide and mentor their students and children to be good ambassadors of their country (Nigeria).

In his words, the GOC who was ably represented at the event by Brigadier General Beyidi Martins, the Chief Of Staff 2 Division, said, “Our coming here today is part of our activities to commemorate the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2024, and the response we got here today is quite gratifying.”

“I want to use this medium to encourage the students to be disciplined, and loyal to the country Nigeria, because we have no other country than this country.”

“I want you to see this gathering as another opportunity for you to reaffirm your faith in the country call Nigeria.”

“We all come from different parts of the country and we all find ourselves at home anywhere job take us to, that should be the spirit of Nigeria, it is in order for our dear young ones to pursue a career in Nigerian Army if their passion drive in that direction, so I encourage our parents and our teachers that we should continue to guide them to be good citizens of this country.”

“I believed that the opportunity we had for the short talk has exposed our students to so much commitment of the Nigerian Army in securing and uniting our dear nation, from this note I want to thank the Principal of the school, the Ministry of Education Oyo State, the Executive Governor of the state, Engr Seyi Makinde for always relating with 2 Division Nigerian Army which represents the Nigerian Army within Oyo State and I want to asure you that our doors are always open to support education and all youth activities in the state.” The Chief Of Army Staff assured.

In his remarks, the Principal of Ibadan Grammar School, Mr Ogunleye Abiodun, commended the Nigerian Army for their roles in nation building.

He also lauded the Army under the leadership of Lieutenant General Toareed Lagbaja for prioritizing the education of Nigerian youths through their various Civil -Military intervention Projects.

He said, “On behalf of the entire school we appreciate your service to the country and the dedication to education, I also appreciate your selflessness, this is a big testimony for our students, I know they will be so interested to join the Nigerian Army now with this interactive session that’s so interesting, it’s all encompassing, we really appreciate you for that, for all that you’ve done here today we are so grateful, so, on behalf of the school, the TESCOM, the Ministry of Education, and the Oyo State government we say a big thank you, and we hope that the Civil Military cooperation should continue and we will continue to support the Nigerian Army.”

In their presentations, the duo of Lt Matthew Adegoke and The second presenter Lt. Priye Mordi highlighted the roles of Nigerian Army in safeguarding the country from external forces among others.

The presentation titled, “Selected Ethical Topics and Career Prospects In The Nigerian Army”, the first presenter, Lt Matthew Adegoke gave detailed insight of some basic ethical topics that can serve as a guide for the students who are considering a career in the Nigerian Army.

He noted that for any aspiring student that love to pursue a career in the Nigerian Army need to be a patriotic citizens of Nigeria, stressing that such students must imbibe the principles of honesty and integrity at all times.

He therefore urged the students to avoid criminal company and criminality, which includes cultism, drug and substance abuse among others.

Also in her presentation, the second presenter, Lt Priye Mordi gave detailed analysis about potentials unifying power of Camaraderie and all inclusiveness of the Nigerian Army.

She educated the students that the Nigerian Army is the Land Component of the Armed Forces of Nigeria saddled with the responsibility of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria from both internal and external attacks or threats.

She also noted that the Nigerian Army through constant training and developing of personnel build a mindset in the soldiers who now sees themselves as brothers irrespective of their tribe, religion, ethnic group, state and geopolitical zone.

She said, “This has over the years made the Nigerian Army to be one of the major institutions uniting the country even in so much diversity in cultural backgrounds.”

She further said, that this has also helped the country to overcome the current challenges of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other vices faced by Nigeria. This is reflected in the core values of the Nigerian Army which compels the soldiers to fulfil their obligation to the Army with respect and honour. The core values are Loyalty, Selfless Service, Courage, Discipline, Integrity and Respect for others. These values guide the soldier in the defence of both the people and territory of Nigeria.”

Lt Priye Mordi also talked about career opportunities in the Nigerian Army, saying, “every Nigerian citizen is eligible to join the Nigerian Army as far as they are physically and medically fit and possess the right academic qualification. This can be as a recruit through Depot Nigerian Army or as a graduate from Nigerian Military School Zaria.”

Other highlights of the program include display of video documentary which showcased the history and activities of Nigerian Army, presentation of souvenirs to the best students (Ikuerowo Favour SS1, Science 1, Oduloju Janet SS1, Science1) Head Boy (Balogun Benjamin SS2 Science 3), Head Girl (Oladejo Ibidunsola SS2 Art Class1), the School Principal, distribution of writing materials, group photograph among others.