As part of the 163rd Nigerian Army Day Celebration, Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army hosted an Interdenominational Church Service on Sunday at St. Christopher Military Church Protestant, TA Lagbaja Cantonment, Ikeja. The service featured prayers for national peace, unity, and prosperity, and for God’s protection over troops at home and on operations. Senior officers, soldiers, NAOWA members, and the Nigerian Army Soldiers’ Wives Association were in attendance.
Brigadier General Clement Iyere, Commander 55 Signals Brigade, stood in for the GOC, Major General Adebayo Babalola, to read the message of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu NAM. The COAS thanked God for 163 years of service, urged personnel to remember fallen heroes, and restated the Army’s mandate under the NADCEL 2026 theme: “Protecting the Nation and Serving the People: A Way Forward for the Nigerian Army.” He reaffirmed commitments to professionalism, operational effectiveness, the ‘Soldiers First’ welfare drive, and improvements in accommodation, healthcare, and training.
Lt. Gen. Shaibu honoured wounded soldiers, veterans, and families of serving personnel for their sacrifices, and called on troops to sustain loyalty, discipline, integrity, selfless service, and professionalism. 81 Division said the service reflects the Army’s focus on spiritual renewal and national service as NADCEL 2026 activities continue nationwide.
