The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division and Force Commander, Joint Task Force (South East) Operations UDOKA, Major General Oluyemi Thomas Olatoye has charged officers and soldiers to embrace exemplary leadership at all levels.
82 Division NA Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Lt Col Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni disclosed this in a press statement on Sunday that Major General Oluyemi Thomas Olatoye, gave this charge when he delivered his goodwill message of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), calling for a minute silence in honour of the fallen heroes.
Major General Oluyemi Thomas Olatoye emphasised that leadership is the practical reflection and application of a leader’s character and urged all commanders to lead by example.
Major General Olatoye further encouraged troops to draw closer to God and intensify their spiritual commitment, stressing that only divine intervention can secure victory for the Dragon family and the NA at large.
He also reminded personnel to uphold the core values of the NA in their daily interactions, urging them to ensure their character and attitude are guided by the COAS command philosophy which is "To Consolidate the Transformation of the Nigerian Army Towards Bequeathing a well-motivated and combat-Ready Force that can Effectively Discharge its Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment.'
The GOC concluded with prayers for peace, unity, and divine guidance for both the NA leadership and the nation.
In his sermon, the Chaplain Roman Catholic, Reverend Col (Very Rev Fr) MG Udotong (rtd) urged Christian faithfuls to continue fostering peace and building trust, regardless of ethnic or religious affiliations.
He called on officers and soldiers to uphold discipline for which the NA is known, remain loyal to their commanders, maintain a prayerful life, and stay spiritually focused in their daily duties.
Troops of the Nigerian Army (NA), operating under the 82 Division, today Sunday, 29 June 2025, joined their counterparts across the nation in a special interdenominational Sunday service as part of activities marking the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2025.
The well-attended service, held at Saint Paul Military Church, Abakpa Military Cantonment, Enugu, featured prayers for the continued success of the NA over the enemies of the nation, divine guidance for the President and Commander-in-Chief, national leaders, divine protection for troops, and prosperity for Nigeria.
Similarly, during the NADCEL Juma’at prayers held on Friday, 27 June 2025, the Chief Imam of 82 Division, Lt Col HSO Eneje encouraged troops to be committed, obedient, and loyal to constituted authority. He further urged them to cultivate the fear of Almighty God in the discharge of their duties.
