Eid el-Fitr Celebrations: Chief of Defence Staff Oluyede Calls for National Unity and Solidarity with the Military

General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Defence Staff, has extended heartfelt greetings to the officers, soldiers, ratings, airmen, airwomen, and civilian staff of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, as well as all Nigerians, on the occasion of the 2026 Eid El-Fitr celebration.

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As the holy month of Ramadan comes to a close, General Oluyede expressed his gratitude to Almighty God for the successful completion of the fasting period, and urged all personnel and Nigerians to uphold the spiritual values of Ramadan, including fear of God, honesty, tolerance, compassion, peace, and mutual support.

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The occasion of Eid El-Fitr provides an opportunity for reflection on the lessons of Ramadan, with General Oluyede stressing that the virtues of prayer, sacrifice, charity, and self-discipline remain vital for personal growth, national unity, and cohesion within the Armed Forces.

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The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain fully conscious of their constitutional responsibility to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation, a task that demands enormous sacrifice, according to General Oluyede.

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General Oluyede paid tribute to the fallen heroes who made the supreme sacrifice in defence of the country, while also acknowledging the wounded personnel who continue to bear the burden of injuries sustained in the line of duty, saying their courage, selflessness, and unwavering commitment to duty will never be forgotten.

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General Oluyede urged troops deployed across various theatres of operation to remain disciplined, resilient, patriotic, and courageous, noting that the evolving security environment requires the military to consolidate joint operations across the country.

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The CDS also emphasized the need for the military to deepen operational synergy and sustain professionalism in addressing emerging threats, while ensuring that personnel welfare and well-being remain a priority.

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General Oluyede promised continued efforts to improve administrative support, strengthen operational capabilities, and create better conditions for troops to carry out their responsibilities effectively, while also calling on Nigerians to continue supporting the military in tackling the nation’s security challenges.

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He emphasized that national defence is a collective responsibility that requires the cooperation of government institutions, communities, and citizens in line with the whole-of-government approach, expressing confidence that through shared resolve and cooperation, Nigeria would continue to strengthen its security architecture and preserve the enduring values of its democracy.

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General Oluyede conveyed profound appreciation to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Tinubu, for his steadfast support of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, demonstrated through sustained enhancement of defence capabilities, operational resources, and personnel welfare.

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This support has further strengthened the Armed Forces’ capacity to safeguard national security and support stability across the country, according to General Oluyede, who wished all officers, soldiers, ratings, airmen, airwomen, civilian staff of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and all Nigerians a peaceful and joyous Eid El-Fitr celebration.