By Augustine Ehikioya
Those who have witnessed many past Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) in the country, would definitely have been very much surprised if they had attended the just concluded 2024 NADCEL in Jos, Plateau State.
No doubt, they would have agreed that there was something very different and unique with the 2024 NADCEL.
Apart from showcasing more modern platforms and prowess to continually and sacrificially defend Nigeria, a jinx of 40 years was also broken.
What was impossible to achieve since the inception of the Nigerian Army, especially since 1984 was finally done during the 2024 NADCEL
At the grand finale of the 2024 NADCEL, President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, commissioned into service two helicopters for the Nigerian Army.
The commissioning was a great milestone as that officially kick started the Nigerian Army Aviation wing, whose attempt to establish it started since 1984 without success over years.
Before the two helicopters came, the Nigerian Army had solely relied on the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Navy for its critical air lifts and other supports.
While the 2 new non-combat helicopters will now be engaged in casualty evacuation, troops insertion and other non-combat tasks in the various operations in the country, the Nigerian Army Aviation is now solidly on ground as the Nigerian Army is also expecting delivery of 12 combat helicopters from the United States of America.
All these gladdened the hearts of Nigerian Army pilots and those connected to the Army Aviation wing as it was very obvious on their faces during the demonstration at the grand finale of the 2024 NADCEL held at the HQ 3 Division PT Ground Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos. Plateau State.
It was witnessed by top military brass and government officials, State governors, students, and other civilians including Security Watch Africa (SWA) crew.
The pilots flew the helicopters at a very low level for more than six times going round and round the Rhino Pavilion venue of the 2024 NADCEL Grand Finale.
While the first helicopter was hanging the Nigerian Army flag, the second one followed few metres behind spotting the Nigerian flag.
Each time the helicopters were flying in front of the Rhino Pavilion, the Command Secondary School students occupying the front rows of the Rhino Pavilion waved with excitement the mini Nigerian flag and the Nigerian Army flag each of them was holding.
Speaking with media executives on the two new helicopters, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, said “The journey towards the actualization of Nigerian Army Aviation actually started in 1984, that is 40 years ago.
“Since then, Nigerian Army has been training pilots, engineers and other personnel engaged in the Aviation industry. The idea of having Organic Aviation arm to the Army is the best practice worldwide.
“If you go to some African countries like Kenya, Uganda, Central African Republic, the Armies in those countries have Organic Army Aviation.
“The Organic Army Aviation is primarily tasked to conduct, most of the tasks that the Organic Aviation is engaged in are, 66% non-combat, either for casualty evacuation, troops insertion or other non-combat tasks.
“So, it is just about one-third of the roles of the Organic Army Aviation that is combat in nature.”
Giving reasons why the Nigerian Army acquired non-combat helicopters first, the COAS said “And the fact that we are just starting, it is better to start from the non-combat and scale up.
“We have pilots who have been trained and to keep them current in that trade, they are deployed with the Police, the Navy, and the Air Force.
“And so when the opportunity came up for the Army to acquire the Bell H1 from South Africa, we keyed into it knowing quite well that these helicopters have proven to be versatile and they will be required for the non-combat tasks.
“And it will also help our pilots to maintain their currency while awaiting the arrival of the combat helicopters.”
Expressing gratitude to the other agencies, the Army Chief said “I want to thank the other services, Navy, the Air Force, including the Nigeria Police Force, for the support they have offered to the Nigerian Army both the actualization of the Nigerian Army Aviation.
“They have helped to keep our pilots current. They have provided facilities for us to keep even our helicopters upon arrival in Nigeria.
“These helicopters are on display as part of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2024 and our troops will continue to engage them in our operations as the need arises.”
Speaking on combat helicopters, he said “If I may inform you, some months back, the Government entered into contract with a USA company to procure 12 combat helicopters for the Nigerian Army. Those helicopters are still being manufactured in the United States.”
There were also file pass, parade other demonstrations, armament and equipment display at the Grand Finale of the 2024 NADCEL.
The Army personnel from various units also gave a good account of themselves including two jumpers and paratroopers who jumped with great precision to the venue having been dropped from the sky by aircraft many distance away from the earth surface.
Physical training instructors also gave a wonderful demonstration showing their flexibility, agility and determination to go all out against any obstacle facing them on their assignments.
The K9 wing of the Nigerian Army also showed how well trained their dogs were as the animals accurately identified boxes containing explosives, jumped over obstacles and also arrested a dummy infiltrator at the venue.
The Grand Finale also witnessed the giving out of COAS Commendation Honours and Awards to deserving personnel and presentation of souvenirs.
Before the event got to the Grand Finale, the Nigerian Army used the opportunity of the week-long event to touch the lives of the residents positively and commissioned many projects.
On Wednesday 3rd July, 2024, the Army Chief commissioned Quick impact projects in Mangu, Riyom, Bassa and Wase Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
The Nigerian Army also conducted free medical outreach at the University of Jos Main Campus Primary School, Angwan Rogo, Jos North, Plateau State.
The gesture, according to the COAS, demonstrated the NA’s commitment “to winning the hearts and minds of Nigerians through Civil-Military Cooperation activities and community development.”
Commissioning one of the projects, comprising renovation of blocks of classrooms, solar powered borehole and toilets at Mangun, in Mangu LGA, General Lagbaja noted that the project is at the instance of an illustrious son of the community, Major General Godwin Mutkut, who currently serves as General Officer Commanding 8 Division of the Nigerian Army.
He emphasized that the Army Headquarters initiated such projects as a way of giving back to the communities of senior officers of the rank of Major General, who have served meritoriously and distinguished themselves.
The Army Chief however urged the Mangun Community to take full ownership of the facilities and utilize it to the benefit of all.
He also urged the community to support the NA and other security agencies in their bid to rid the Plateau of criminal elements bent on destroying the state’s good fortune.
The COAS assured that the Nigerian Army, as part of its comprehensive soft approach to crisis management, will sustain the non-kinetic lines of operations through impactful quick impact projects and other civil-military cooperation activities.
In Riyom Local Government Area, the COAS commissioned another set of Blocks of Classrooms and solar powered borehole at Hoss community Secondary School Ta-hoss, Riyom LGA of Plateau State.
The choice of Ta-Hoss for the intervention, he noted, was to help the community recover as it is one of the communities negatively impacted by farmer-herder conflicts on the Plateau.
The blocks of classrooms, he said, would provide a conducive environment for learning, while the borehole with about 40,000-litres water storage capacity and other facilities will promote healthy living for the pupils and the community at large, especially now that cases of cholera are being reported in some parts of the country.
The Nigerian Army also conducted a free medical outreach at the University of Jos Main Campus Primary School, Angwan Rogo community, Bauchi road, Jos, where a large number of residents were availed free medical services to access medical examinations and tests, treatment for diverse ailments, as well as free medical check-up.
The event also witnessed the distribution of free medication, eye glasses, mosquito nets, clutches, and wheel chairs to physically challenged persons.
There were also health talks and counselling to sensitize the community on the implications of substance and drug abuse.
Some of the projects commissioned within the Maxwell Khobe Cantonment by the Army Chief included the 2000 seater newly constructed Rhino Pavilion, newly constructed two blocks of 30 families corporal below quarters.
Others are the newly constructed 3 Division Garrison Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) House, remodeled Headquarters 3 Division Quarter Guards, reconstructed Maxwell Khobe Sculptor and the Electronic Board.
The week-long event also gave opportunity to the top echelon of the Nigerian Army to listen to lecture towards making them successful against the adversary on the field.
The lecture titled ‘Combating Complex Conflicts In Nigeria: Challenges and Strategies’ was delivered by Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun (Rtd).
There was interactive session after the lecture, giving discussants, the COAS, the former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor, opportunity to make inputs.
The Army Chief also opened up himself to scrutiny and questions from media executives on his policies and activities in the first one year of his tenure as COAS.
The COAS, after the lecture, led officers and men, and invited guests to inspect the historical themed exhibition stands.
Impressed with what he saw on ground, the former COAS and former Ambassador to Benin Republic, General Tukur Buratai (Rtd), gave kudos to General Lagbaja and his other predecessors.
He said “Let me correct this, it’s not up to 80% of the innovations, but at least we have made significant impact. I know all the service chiefs have greatly contributed,
So what you have seen around especially this historical section is quite impressive. The innovation side is also very very interesting.
“And it shows the continuity of the military leadership and I want to commend the current Chief of Army Staff, Gen Lagbaja and of course all my successors, who had continued with the stride to ensure that the Army maintains the highest standard of discipline, operational capabilities as well as the interventions they have introduced and improved on what one has left.
“I’m very impressed and I am happy, I’m proud of the Nigerian Army and I’m proud of the officers and men.” he added.
Urging the troops not to relent, he said “I want to say congratulations, despite storms, it has not been an easy one, they have toiled, suffered and made sacrifices.
“So, let them continue to persevere and remain resilient, strong and also maintain the highest standards of discipline so that they will carry this country through this difficult time. They will surely succeed.” he stated.
With the end of the 2024 NADCEL in Jos, Plateau State, well-meaning Nigerians can only wish for more successes for the Nigerian Army and other security agencies against insecurity confronting the nation.
As more platforms are coming to the Nigerian Army and with the activation of its aviation wing, it is hoped that they will all translate to tangible outcomes that will make all Nigerians feel safe and secured in any part of the country, on or before 2025 NADCEL
