... Morale and Reinvigorating Booster for Officers and Soldiers of the Nigerian Army
Today marks the 57th Birthday of the outstanding, and organized, level-headed, diligent, decisive, and disciplined Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, the 22nd Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya was born on 5th January 1966 in Sifawa, Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto state.
As a resourceful, and resolute army General, he would rather mark his birthday privately with troops at the frontline with deep reflection, prayers and of course, some snacks.
It may or may not be in our power to offer much to a brave man like Lt General Yahaya who had served the country and held several appointments including Staff, Instructional and Command but sometimes it's enough to express our sincere respect and gratitude for his efforts and sacrifices.
As a person, he is steady, solid, and strong, optimistic, outstanding, no wonder, COAS has through his Command policies and administration, been boosting troops’ morale and reinvigorating their fighting will, with the prompt implementation of welfare policies and dispensation of welfare packages, such as the introduction of welfare flights for troops and their families, in and out of Operational theatres, construction of new accommodation quarters and renovation of dilapidated ones, to solve personnel’s accommodation challenges and sponsoring of Wounded in Action officers and soldiers for treatment overseas.
Lt General Faruk Yahaya at all levels plans field work as a Commander, assigns tasks, and sees that the work is accomplished to the highest standard. In that regard, he is an extraordinary General, in October 2022, a Nigerian national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) was conferred on him by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Lt General Yahaya has served as Garrison Commander Headquarters Guards Brigade, Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Deputy Director Army Headquarters Department of Military Secretary, Deputy Director Army Research and Development and the Chief of Staff, Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation Pulo Shield,
He also has served as the Principal General Staff Officer (PGSO) to the Honourable Minister of Defence, the Commander, Headquarters 4 Brigade and 29 Task Force Brigade (Operation Zaman Lafiya). He was also Director Manpower at the Army Headquarters, Military Secretary, Army Headquarters and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division of the Nigerian Army.
Until his appointment as the 22nd COAS, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya was the Theatre Commander Operation HADIN KAI, responsible for Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency operations in North East Nigeria.
Lt Gen Yahaya who is a member of the 37 Regular Course of the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), started his cadet training on 27 September 1985 and was commissioned into the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps on 22 September 1990.
Lt General Faruk Yayaha is a proud holder of several honours and awards, some of which include, Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, Grand Service Star, Passed staff course (Dagger), National DefenceCourse (Chile), Economic Community of West Africa State Monitoring Group Medal, Command Medal, Field Command Medal, General Operations Medal, Silver Jubilee Medal and Golden Jubilee Medal. He is happily married and blessed with children.
I join the multitude of his Nigerian Army Soldiers and Officers in wishing Lt General Yahaya a very happy birthday, I pray for more grace, wisdom and knowledge to continue to aspire for greatness.
Army officers work to protect our country, and they do so with courage and honour. They are also willing to give their lives to protect us, making them incredibly selfless. For this reason, we must show our appreciation for soldiers daily, particularly during birthdays.
It can be hard for members of the armed forces to get home for birthdays and other special occasions, but that doesn’t mean you should forget about them. Wishing someone in the army a happy birthday is always a great idea. They have to work hard for their country, and we should honour them.
Oluwapelumi Olayemi Esan is a Nigerian Broadcast Journalist, Member of NIPR, Senior Defence Correspondent and the MD of Spye Communications Ltd