Presidential Research & Communications Unit - National Security & Intelligence

President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has urged members of the Armed Forces to rededicate themselves to defend the 1999 Constitution, the nation's young democracy and its territorial integrity.

Speaking at this year’s Army Day celebration, held at Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna, on Saturday July 12, President Yar'Adua pointed out that the commitment of the military has found expression in this year theme of the Army Day celebration, tagged "Transforming the Nigeria Army For The Challenges In Modern Warfare And Threats in a Democracy."

"You have continued in the path of effective protective partnership with the Federal Government in our quest for nation-building and democratic consolidation", he said. " I have observed with satisfaction the commendable effort by the leadership of our nation's military establishments to re-engineer and reposition the armed services with the challenges of today's fast globalised world".

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He assured them of government's unflinching support to the Army and its sister services and urged the solders to also support the administration, "as we pursue the 7-point agenda, with focus on achieving tangible social, economic results in key sectors of our economy within shortest possible time".

The President commended the authorities of the Army for its Barracks Youth foundation Initiatives. "The scheme, which seeks to maximize the creative productive potentials of youths in the Army Barracks across, is in tandem with our administration's new youth development policy and overall commitment to human capital development".