Following the series of activities lined up to mark the Nigerian Army (NA) 160 years of existence, known as Nigerian Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2023, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Major General Taoreed Lagbaja in his goodwill Message to troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) has called for rededication of efforts and absolute loyalty to the constitution and the President, Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the Armed Forces President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

The COAS gave the charge on Sunday, 2 July 2023 during the Interdenominational Church Service held at St Bartholomew Military Protestant Church Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri. Represented at the service by the Deputy Theatre Commander (TC) Major General KA Isoni, he charged all officers and troops of OPHK to be more committed, loyal, and disciplined while discharging their duties as well as to eschew all forms of unprofessionalism and unpatriotic acts inimical to the tenets and standards of the NA. 

This year's NADCEL message tied around the theme "Sound Administration: A Panacea for Effective Military Operations" is aimed towards re-echoing the need for more commitment and discipline in all aspects of the NA Operations across the nation towards national unity, all inclusiveness, and peaceful coexistence. 

In the Theatre of OPHK, the NADCEL activity commenced on Friday, 30 June 2023 with a Special Juma'at Prayers at Maimalari Military Cantonment Central mosques where Muslim faithful gather to pray for the safety and well-being of officers and troops, and also for the NA involvement in various national and international operations while appreciating God for the unparallel victory recorded so far in the history of the NA. 

After the mandatory raka'at prayers, the Chief Imam and Acting Deputy Director 7 Division Islamic Affairs, Maj AS Yakubu offered special prayers for the Nigerian Nation, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and NA. He also offered special prayers for the COAS, Maj Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, all commanders, officers and soldiers of the NA. He equally urged all Muslim faithful to continue praying for the Leaders of this country and the Armed Forces.

Similarly, during the Inter-Denominational Church Service, the sermon delivered by Lt Col (Very Rev Fr) LS Beba admonished troops to uphold the virtue of patriotism, valour and fidelity which forms the watchword of our service to the nation. He said "The nation have faith in us for protection at all times, especially the confidence reposed in us by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and also the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Rev Fr Beba charged officers and men to be good fathers, good soldiers and as well good husbands while aligning themselves to the motto of the NA which is "Victory is from God alone".

He, therefore, called on all Christian soldiers to serve the country dutifully, through love and sacrifice for humanity taking the risk to defend the weak, the vulnerable and be the face of Christ in all battlefields across the nation. The COAS further used the medium to appreciate the support and collaboration of Nigerians across board which has aided the successes recorded so far by troops in the various operations. He promised to remain faithful, and loyal to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Present during the Jumma'at prayers and the Interdenominational church service were: GOC 7 Major General AE Abubakar, Wife of the GOC Mrs Fibishola Abubakar, Component Commanders OPHK, Formations and Unit Commanders, Principal Staff Officers and Officers, of OPHK, Troops and their families.