The Nigerian Army (NA) has concluded plans to conduct a Trooping and Presentation of Colours Parade 2023 on Thursday 27th April 2023 at the Eagle Square in Abuja.
The historic Regimental Colours are expected to be presented by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari. The presentation will be conducted to retire torn or worn out Colours, as well as present the National and Regimental Colours to the newly established and operationalized NA units in line with the increased operational commitments of the NA and inline with the NA Order of Battle (ORBAT.)
Briefing Newsmen in Abuja, the Director, of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu explained that, a total of 81 units are expected to participate in the Parade, 53 Colours will be due for retirement, while 28 Colours will be presented to new NA units during the ceremony which is one of the historic customs and traditions of the NA.
General Nwachukwu pointed out the uniqueness of the ceremony, noting that it will afford the opportunity for many citizens to “witness the height of military discipline and regimentation.”
He added that the NA had first experienced the Colour Presentations in 1922 when the then British monarch, His Majesty, King John V awarded Colours to each battalion of the Nigerian Regiments that formed part of the British West African Frontier Forces (WAFF) in recognition of their services.
General Nwachukwu said, the last time a similar event was conducted was in 2007 and since then, new units have been established and operationalized in line with the increasing operational commitments of the NA as well as provisions of extant NA ORBAT, whereas Colours are usually retired after 10 years of service.
“Most of the Colours in the Nigerian Army have been involved in multiple operations in various geopolitical zones of the Country as well as foreign countries, hence deserving retirement and the presentation of new Colours,” he explained.
He further noted that the Regiment as a whole was also granted a colour which has an inscription written in Arabic captioned ‘‘Victory is from God Alone’’, noting that up till now, the Nigerian Army is still using the inscription on its Logo and also on NA officers’ cap badges from the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and below as well as Non-Commissioned Officers.
Meanwhile, the NA has informed Abuja residents to use alternative commuting routes to allow a free flow of traffic and seamless event during the ceremony on Thursday in Abuja.
General Nwachukwu maintained, that all the strategic commuting routes leading to the venue would be diverted to avoid unnecessary interference during the ceremony.
According to him, all traffic lights before the Force Headquarters, traffic lights by Millenium Park and traffic lights close to the Ministry of Finance will be deliberately altered.
He regretted the inconveniences this diversion may cause to road users and enjoined them to use the alternative routes to connect to their destinations.
Those who are expected to be in attendance include: Members of the National and Executive Council, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Executive Governors of the States benefitting Units, Service Chiefs, past Chief of Army Staffs, Senior Military Officers both serving and retired, Captains of Industries as well as other important dignitaries.
