In a powerful display of leadership and solidarity, Nigeria’s military high command brought the spirit of Christmas directly to its frontline personnel during the 2025 festive season. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, organized a special Christmas luncheon for troops of the 3 Division Nigerian Army and the Joint Task Force, Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF OPEP), in Plateau State. This event, far more than a ceremonial meal, served as a critical morale operation and a strategic reaffirmation of the military’s core values and commitments.
The gathering, detailed in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Major-General Samaila Uba, underscores a modern military leadership principle: visible, empathetic command is a force multiplier. Represented by the Commander of the Armour Corps, Major-General Umar Abubakar, General Oluyede framed the Christmas season as one of “love, sacrifice, hope, and renewal”—a poignant metaphor for the troops’ own service. He specifically honored those who stood guard while the nation celebrated, stating their choice epitomized “the finest traditions of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.” This public recognition is a vital non-material aspect of welfare, validating the personal sacrifices made by service members and their families.
Beyond gratitude, the CDS provided a substantive operational assessment. He praised JTF OPEP’s performance, linking it directly to tangible outcomes: restored public confidence and the stabilization of Plateau and contiguous areas of Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Benue states. His remarks highlighted a crucial, evolving doctrine in Nigerian security operations. “The achievements recorded… underscore the importance of sustained synergy with sister security agencies and continuous engagement with host communities,” Oluyede noted. This “whole-of-government” and community-centric approach is increasingly seen as essential for lasting security, moving beyond purely kinetic operations to build trust and gather local intelligence.
The commitment to troop welfare was presented not as a vague promise but as an ongoing, actionable priority. The CDS detailed efforts to improve living conditions, healthcare, and family support systems. For a force engaged in prolonged internal security operations, this focus on holistic welfare is critical for maintaining long-term effectiveness, retention, and mental resilience. He balanced this support with a call for continued “heightened vigilance” during the holidays, a period often exploited by adversarial groups, and extended thanks to President Bola Tinubu for overarching support to the armed forces.
The Commander on the ground, Major-General Eyitato Oyinlola, GOC of 3 Division and JTF OPEP, provided concrete examples of the operation’s impact, citing the “neutralisation of criminal elements, arrest of suspected kidnappers and recovery of arms” as actions that directly enabled a peaceful Christmas in the region. The event culminated in the symbolic serving of meals by senior officers to the troops—a potent gesture meant to dissolve hierarchical barriers and reinforce a sense of shared purpose and mutual respect between leadership and the frontlines.
This Christmas luncheon, therefore, transcended its festive veneer. It was a multifaceted leadership tool: a morale booster, a public recognition of sacrifice, a forum for reinforcing strategic objectives, and a platform for recommitting to the tangible well-being of the personnel who bear the greatest risk for the nation’s security.
Reported by Sumaila Ogbaje for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
