By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Chief of Eid Mubarak! God bless the Armed Forces of Nigeria! Long live the Federal Republic of NigeriaDefence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, has extended warm felicitations to officers and personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and all Nigerians on the occasion of the 2026 Eid El-Fitr celebration, calling on them to sustain the virtues of unity, discipline, and patriotism.
The CDS described Ramadan as a period of prayer, sacrifice, charity, and self-discipline, noting that the spiritual lessons of the holy month provide guidance for personal growth and strengthening the bonds within the Armed Forces and the nation.
The Director of Defence Information, Samaila Uba, who conveyed the goodwill message, said General Oluyede urged officers, soldiers, airmen, airwomen, ratings, and civilian staff to continue practicing honesty, tolerance, compassion, peace, and mutual support, values essential to fostering unity and professionalism across the military.
The CDS reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, honouring the sacrifices of those who have fallen and recognizing the courage of personnel injured in the line of duty. He called on troops deployed across various theatres of operation to remain disciplined, resilient, and committed, stressing the need for enhanced joint operations, operational synergy, and readiness to address emerging security threats.
He further assured military personnel that their welfare and well-being remain a priority, with continued efforts to strengthen administrative support, operational capacity, and living conditions to enable them perform their duties effectively.
General Oluyede also appealed to all Nigerians to support the Armed Forces, noting that national security is a collective responsibility requiring cooperation among government institutions, communities, and citizens.
He expressed gratitude to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his steadfast support in enhancing defence capabilities, operational resources, and personnel welfare.
The CDS concluded by wishing all members of the Armed Forces and Nigerians a peaceful and joyous Eid El-Fitr celebration, praying for continued unity, peace, and progress in the country.
