The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to improving the welfare of its personnel while sustaining efforts to protect Nigeria’s sovereignty and tackle the country’s security challenges.
The assurance was contained in a statement posted on the Nigerian Army’s X page on Wednesday, following the conclusion of faith-based activities organised by the Headquarters 6 Division as part of the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration.
The Army said the activities ended with an interdenominational church service held on Sunday at St. Matthew’s Parish Catholic Church, Headquarters 6 Division Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt Barracks, Rivers State, after a Jumma’at prayer conducted on Friday. It noted that the events reflected the institution’s commitment to religious harmony and its tradition of dedicating its activities to God through both Christian and Islamic worship.
The church service was officiated by the Chaplain, Reverend Father Colonel Abraham Sambo, while the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force (South South), Operation DELTA SAFE, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, represented the COAS. At the Jumma’at prayer, the COAS was represented by the Commander, 6 Division Garrison and Commander, Sector 3, Joint Task Force (South South), Operation DELTA SAFE, Brigadier General Abubakar Bello.
Delivering the goodwill message of the COAS, Emekah said the Nigerian Army remained committed to creating an environment where personnel could serve with dignity while ensuring their families received the support they deserved.
He said, “For 163 years, the Nigerian Army has remained a symbol of patriotism, resilience, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to national service. The theme of this year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebration, ‘Protecting the Nation and Serving the People,’ reflects the Army’s enduring resolve to safeguard the nation while strengthening the trust and confidence of the Nigerian people.”
According to him, the celebration provided an opportunity for the Army to thank God for His mercies, reflect on its journey, celebrate its achievements, honour fallen heroes and renew its commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Emekah added that the event also recognised the sacrifices of officers and soldiers serving across various theatres of operation, stressing that the Army’s successes had been built on the resilience, discipline and selfless service of its personnel.
He described the 2026 NADCEL theme as “a clarion call for introspection, renewal, and rededication,” noting that it reminded personnel that the Army’s constitutional mandate was closely tied to the safety, prosperity and trust of the Nigerian people.
The senior military officer further said that under the leadership of the COAS, the Nigerian Army remained actively engaged in operations against terrorism, insurgency, banditry, crude oil theft and other criminal activities threatening national peace and stability.
He acknowledged the complexity of the country’s security challenges but maintained that the Army had continued to record significant operational successes through the professionalism of its personnel and collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Air Force, other security agencies and relevant stakeholders.
Emekah also reaffirmed that the Nigerian Army regarded its personnel as its greatest asset and would continue to prioritise their welfare through improved accommodation, enhanced healthcare services, quality training and other initiatives aimed at boosting their well-being and operational effectiveness.
