1st July, 2015
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.- Gen. Kenneth Minimah, on Monday in Abuja said the Nigerian Army was not owing allowances of troops involved in the ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the North-East
Minimah, represented by Maj.-Gen. Donald Oji, the Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Army, said this while briefing newsmen on the activities lined up for the 2015 Army Day Celebrations (NADCEL) scheduled to hold from July 1 to July 6.
He said the allowances of the troops were promptly paid, adding that the soldiers were adequately taken care of.
“The Nigerian Army is not owing any soldier any allowance, every soldier is paid his allowances as at when due and the soldiers are well taken care of.
The main focus of the Army has always been to maintain the territorial integrity of the country, and safeguard the lives of law-abiding and loyal citizens.
He said that the 2015 Army Day Celebration with the theme: “Equipping the Nigerian Army to enhance Operational Efficiency in Combating Threat” would be celebrated low key.
“The choice of Maiduguri to host the closing activities of NADCEL 2015 was informed by the need to further raise the morale of our troops in the area of operation by showing solidarity to them.
Minimah said that the theme and concentration of activities in Maiduguri, was informed by the relocation of the Military Command and Control Centre, MCCC, by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“As well as to further reassure the people in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria, particularly Borno, of the renewed determination of the Nigerian Army to end the insurgency in that zone” he said.
He said the army used the NADACEL week to reflect on its achievement or otherwise in the previous year, for more effective planning and performance in the next year, based on the lessons learnt from the previous year’s activities
The chief of army staff further disclosed that wounded soldiers in the NA 7 Division Hospital in Maiduguri, would be visited, while Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), in the state, would also receive free medical treatment.
Minimah listed other activities lined up for the week to include Juma’at prayers on Friday, July 3, at all the Nigerian Army Formation headquarters nationwide.
He said an inter-denominational Church service would hold on Sunday, July 5, at all formations and units of the Army.
According to him, during the celebration, there will be two-day free medical services for the IDPs by the Nigerian Army Medical Corps.
“There will also be wreath-laying ceremony at the military cemetery, and visit to hospital patients at the 7 Division Hospital and Medical Services.
“The grand finale of NADCEL 2015 will be the Chief of Army Staff’s address to troops and decoration of troops with medals.