By Ologeh Joseph Chibu
The 64th Anniversary Military parade which held at Aso Villa has been described as the best the country has ever had at least in the past 50 years.
The parade which held in Abuja on Tuesday October 1, stirred up excitement, curiosity and adoration from thousands of guests that graced the occasion.
Diplomats and members of the international community were seen clapping intermittently, in response to the thrill and pageantry.
Sources said the success is traced to the defense headquarters, most especially, the Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa and the Chief of Army Staff Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja.
Not only were new styles and techniques introduced to the gallery, the soldiers’ performances were electrifying.
Observers say this might be a reflection of a new defense culture, which successes have been seen in the ongoing crushing defeat of insurgence.
“I marveled. I could not believe what I saw, the level of display on independence day is the best I have ever seen since 1970,” a member of the Nigerian Legion, Chief Raphael Agbana who fought in the Nigerian Civil war told Irohinodua.
He said he watched the event from A-Z and could not believe the transformation that have taken place in the Nigerian Armed Forces.
He described the martial festival as a mix of traditional and modern marching techniques mixed with indigenous innovations introduced to the parade and the inspection of guards.
Agbana who served in 13th Amphibious Brigade during the civil war said: “What I saw was a milestone in inspiration, it was a morale booster, the best I have ever seen in more than 50 years.”
He said he was speaking as an observer and a participant.
Agbana commended all the service chiefs for their creative input into the 64th anniversary celebration.
Colonel Ismail Yahaya, who spoke with Irohinoodua said, “you can judge the quality of the armed forces from the discipline and effectiveness at its parade.”
He said “I think this is the best I have seen in about 50 years. It was unique, marvelous and unbelievable.”
He said he spoke with some members of the diplomatic corps and that they shared the same delight at the grand performance of the armed forces.
The Colonel said he was quite sure that many countries who watched the parade, would borrow from the new style and innovation.
He said, “I was with a group of retired soldiers in my house, about five of us watched the parade, and we came to the same conclusion that it was unprecedented in Nigerian history.”
Speaking at the event President Tinubu called on Nigerians to bare with his policies.
He said his regime has made tremendous sacrifices in the fight against insurgents.
He said, “My administration took over the leadership of our country 16 months ago at a critical juncture. The economy faced many headwinds, and our physical security was highly impaired. We found ourselves at a dizzying crossroads, where we must choose between two paths: reform for progress and prosperity or carry on business-as-usual and collapse. We decided to reform our political economy and defence architecture.”
“On the security front, I am happy to announce to you, my compatriots, that our administration is winning the war on terror and banditry. Our target is to eliminate all the threats of Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and the scourge of all forms of violent extremism. Within one year, our government has eliminated Boko Haram and bandit commanders faster than ever. As of the last count, over 300 Boko Haram and bandit commanders have been eliminated by our gallant troops in the Northeast, Northwest, and some other parts of the country.”
“We have restored peace to hundreds of communities in the North, and thousands of our people have been able to return home. It is an unfinished business, which our security agencies are committed to ending as quickly as possible. As soon as we can restore peace to many communities in the troubled parts of the North, our farmers can return to their farms. We expect to see a leap in food production and a downward spiral in food costs. I promise you, we shall not falter on this.”