President Muhammadu Buhari will unveil 81 national and regimental colours for the newly established and operationalised units and retired unit colours of the Nigerian Army on Thursday.

The army’s spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, said this while briefing reporters on the trooping and presentation of the colours parade on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mr Nwachukwu said the last trooping and presentation of colours parade for the army units was conducted in 2007.

He added that new units had been established and operationalised since then in line with the increasing operational commitments of the army and its extant Order of Battle (ORBAT).

He said colours were usually retired after 10 years of service.

According to him, most of the colours in the Nigerian Army have been used in multiple operations in various geopolitical zones of the country and foreign countries, hence deserving retirement and the presentation of new ones.

“A total of 81 units will, therefore, be participating in the parade; 53 colours will be due for retirement, while 28 will be presented to new units.

“The event will also have in attendance members of the National and Executive Council, members of the diplomatic corps and governors of the states benefitting units.

“Others are service chiefs, past Chief of Army Staff, senior military officers both serving and retired, captains of industries as well as other important dignitaries,” he said.

Mr Nwachukwu advised motorists to use alternative routes and all proximate routes to Eagle Square from 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. 

(NAN)