On Wednesday, Army chief Olufemi Oluyede celebrated Christmas with sick and wounded soldiers in action.

Mr Oluyede assured them that their sacrifices would never go in vain.

Mr Oluyede said this at a Christmas luncheon with the sick and wounded soldiers at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna.

He assured that the welfare of officers, soldiers and their families, including the injured and those who lost their lives, remained his top priority.

He reaffirmed the readiness of the Nigerian Army to up-scale issues to foster professionalism and combat readiness under his watch.

Mr Oluyede said the issues of fostering professionalism and combat readiness would be addressed alongside a stronger emphasis on maintaining sound administration.

To this end, he pledged to prioritise personnel welfare, recognise excellence and ensure an efficient system of rewards and sanctions.

“All these are in furtherance of my 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,” Mr Oluyede stated.

(NAN)