The Nigerian Army (NA) has today, 27 April 2023 held a Trooping and Presentation of Colours Parade 2023 at Eagle Square, Abuja.The historic Regimental Colours were presented by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari who was dressed in military regalia and brought Alive the saying that, once a general, always a general.
During the event which was graced by who is who in Nigeria, the Commander in Chief retired torn or worn out Colours while he also presented 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.)
A total of 81 units participated in the Parade, 53 Colours were retired while 28 Colours were presented to new NA units during the colourful ceremony which showcased one of the historic customs and traditions of the NA.
It could be recalled that the Director Army Public Relations, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu during the Press Conference preceding the event said such ceremony was first experienced 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.
He further explained that, “Most of the Colours in the NA 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,” .
Those 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.
