As the Muslim faithful celebrated the Eid-el Kabir on Sunday, the Chief of Amry Staff, Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, feasted with wounded-in-action soldiers at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that assorted delicacies and drinks were doled out to the soldiers as part of the Sallah merriments.
Speaking at the event, Lagbaja said Eid-el Kabir was a day to celebrate and share with the needy.
Lagbaja was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Mayirenso Saraso, who was also represented by the Division’s Chief of Staff, Brig.-Gen. David Nwakonobi.
The COAS said the Eid-el Kabir gesture was to celebrate with the soldiers, especially at a time when they can’t be with their families.
He said the Nigerian Army, the Minister of Defence and Chief of Defence Staff have them at heart and would do anything humanly possible to get them out of their present predicaments.
Lagbaja wished the soldiers a quick recovery and reassured them of his resolve for their welfare.
One of the wounded-in-action soldiers, Staff Sgt. Garba Bono, thanked the COAS for the gesture.
“The COAS has been there for us and still with us, this alone is a cause to be happy.
”The hospital also is doing its best for us, I never thought I could walk again in my life when I was brought to the hospital, now I can walk. I thank God and the hospital for caring for us,” he said.
Equally, Sgt. Solomon Olaniyi, thanked the COAS for being conscious of the wounded-in-action soldiers’ existence.
“We are happy and still have the assurance that the Army will never neglect us. We are grateful for COAS remembering us, this gives us joy that the Army is with us and we still belong to the society,” he said.
Earlier, the acting Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Col. Stephen Onuchukwu, said the soldiers were faring very well.
He said it was fortunate for them to have such a COAS, adding that apart from winning the battle at the front-line, among his pillars of philosophy was sound administration of personnel.
Onuchukwu explained that the necessary leadership and resources to enable wounded-in-action soldiers got the best care was in place.
The CMD equally said that apart from the soldiers receiving treatment at the hospital, those with critical conditions were flown abroad to have the best of care.
He thanked the COAS for his continuous support.
