GOODWILL MESSAGE TO THE NIGERIAN ARMY FAMILY BY THE CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF LIEUTENANT GENERAL TA LAGBAJA NAM GSS psc(+) usawc CM FCM FCMH MSS ON THE OCCASION OF ED-EL-FITR CELEBRATION 2024

1. I congratulate the Muslim faithful for concluding the 2024 Ramadan fast successfully and felicitate the officers, soldiers, and civilian staff of the Nigerian Army and family members on the occasion of Eid-El-Fitr 2024. It is a fact that the Eid-El-Fitr is of great religious, cultural, and social significance to the Muslim faithful and all members of the Nigerian Army Community Having undertaken the CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF spiritual exercise with other Muslim faithful worldwide, I believe that your fasting, acts of charity, love, patience, and perseverance have strengthened your relationship with Almighty Allah and enhanced your humanness.

2. The overlapping of the Lenten and Ramadan seasons this year offered a good lesson to us as a nation on the need to live in harmony with one another. These spiritual exercises created a solemn atmosphere for Christians and Muslims alike to reflect and pray for our nation and leaders as we navigate the current economic and security realities that we face, and I have no doubt that you have taken advantage of the season to do just that. I equally hope that you spared a moment during the Ramadan fast to pray for the repose of the souls of our departed colleagues who paid the supreme price in the line of duty and the families they left behind.

3. Let me use this opportunity of this celebration to acknowledge and thank you for your continued contributions towards ensuring the total defeat of adversarial elements troubling our nation. Your commitment and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, banditry, oil theft, illegal mining, and other forms of criminalities challenging our existence as a Nation have not gone unnoticed by the government and the people of Nigeria. You all will bear me witness that the government of the day has, within available means, kept faith with its promise to make the welfare of members of the Armed Forces and our families of uttermost importance. The only way to reciprocate this is by redoubling our efforts at creating the right environment for peace and economic prosperity of our people and country. I challenge you not to rest on your oars as we continue to work with our sister services and other security agencies in implementing strategic policies of government through successful operational activities and effective tactical actions. I assure you that I will continue to prioritize your welfare while maintaining the sanction and reward system which characterize the sound administration pillar of my Command Philosophy, which is "To transform the Nigerian Army into a Well-trained, Equipped and Highly Motivated Force Towards Achieving our Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint Environment".

4. For our colleagues who, due to operational commitments, are unable to join their family members and loved ones to celebrate this year's Eid-El-Fitr, be assured that the Nation appreciates your sacrifice and service and I salute your sense of duty and dedication. Securing our beloved nation against all forms of threats, internal and external, is a duty we are constitutionally bound to perform and service we must render to our fatherland. I hope you continue to imbibe the lessons of Ramadan and espouse the acts of charity, kindness, and patience, among other virtues emphasised during the fasting season.

COMRADES