The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has presented a brand new Hilux Vehicle each to 14 living heroes of the Nigerian Army In commemoration of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration (AFRDC) 2022.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, in Abuja.
Nwachukwu said the vehicles were presented to the veterans for serving the nation when their services were mostly needed.
He added that the presentation was also in honour and recognition of the sacrifices of both the fallen heroes and veterans who were still alive for their services to the Nigerian Army (NA), the nation and humanity.
According to him, the presentation was done nationwide, across all formations of the Nigerian army to signpost the significance of the celebration.
Nwachukwu said the Provost Marshal (PM), Army, Maj.-Gen. Robert Aiyenigba, presented one of the vehicles on behalf of the COAS to one of the beneficiaries on Saturday.
He said that Aiyenigba symbolically presented the vehicle to the former Regimental Sergeant Major, Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police (NACMP), Ex Army Warrant Officer Akinyokun Felix, on the occasion of his retirement after 35 years of meritorious service to the nation.
According to him, the PM stated that AFRDC provided an opportunity for retrospection and appreciation of the patriotism and sacrifices demonstrated by both veterans and fallen heroes.
“He said it was in appreciation of their services that the COAS presents these vehicles to the retirees, saying the gesture was an affirmation of the high premium, the COAS places on welfare of personnel.
The beneficiary, retired MWO Akinyokun thanked the COAS for finding them worthy of the award, describing it as a morale booster to them and those they left in service.
“He added that they would continue to support the NA to succeed in her constitutional mandate, even in retirement,” he said.