Troops Welfare Is Morale Booster & Top Priority – Defence Minister

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

The Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (Rtd) CFR, has rewarded the exceptional display of gallantry by Private Isa Umar, 16/NA/75/5564 of the Nigerian Army  School of Legal Service Zaria, Kaduna State. 

It was therefore double joy for Private Umar, who was also conferred with the prestigious Chief of Army Staff award by the Minister of Defence for gallantly putting his life on the line to save the lives of the endangered occupants of a bus gutted by fire, which he painstakingly carried out one after the other for the people helplessly trapped  in a thick inferno and at the end almost paid with his dear life but sustained injury. 

This was disclosed by Mohammad Abdulkadri, Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to the Minister of Defence during the 2020 Nigerian Army Day of Honour and the Launch of a  Compendium of Army Transformation titled; ”The Buratai years 2015 -2020′” held at the NA Special Super Camp under the hegemony of the NA 8 Div,  where the Land Force also heralded the birth of the Exercise Sahel Sanity performed  by General Magashi. 

The objective of the Ops as earlier captured and contextualised in the speech of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai, is to decisively clean up the General Area of Operation of the unbecoming activities of the banditry which the Minister expressed optimism that it is achievable going by the sufficient supply of strong political will by President Muhammadu  Buhari to the Militry and the Para-Military prosecuting the campaigns. It was therefore, a rare display of magnanimity by General  Magashi who dolled out Five Hundred Thousand Naira  (500.000.00) cash award to Private Umar, who he described as a patriotic and selfless Nigerian, who should be emulated by others. This very rare display of kind gesture by the Special Guest of Honour at the milestone ceremony which climaxed the year 2020 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) also coincided with 157 Years Anniversary of the Force, which turned out to be a platform to remind the troops of the compassionate and human-face posture of President Buhari to fulfil all obligations to the troops wellbeing at all times. It was also a bold demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment, acknowledgement and encouragement of troops valour in battles and a forum for the retired infantry General to drop a wake-up charge message to the troops to remain committed to the National aspirations to end insurgency and banditry in the country. 

General Magashi, who hit the grand running in high spirit, immediately after alighting from the NAF Helicopter at the Helopad Wing of the Camp, inspected the ceremonial guards parade and the general salute as well as receiving operational briefs and carried out the official  Launch of the Compendium,  commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Yusuf Tukur Buratai, for what he described as his uncommon achievements and exemplary leadership of the service. 
Presentation of souvenirs climaxed the Defence Minister’s tour of duty to the General Area.