The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, on 6 July 2026 joined the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt to commemorate the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2026, attended by the Special Guest of Honour, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was ably represented by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima. Congratulating the Nigerian Army on its 163 years of distinguished service to the nation, the CAS paid tribute to its remarkable legacy of courage, sacrifice and military excellence.
He recalled the extraordinary exploits of Nigerian soldiers during the Second World War, particularly their decisive role in the 1941 East African Campaign, a feat of arms widely recognised by military historians as one of history’s fastest military advances.
He noted that the exceptional bravery, resilience and professionalism demonstrated by those gallant soldiers laid a proud foundation that continues to inspire today’s Nigerian Army in the defence of Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and democratic values.
Air Marshal Aneke emphasised that the enduring partnership between the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Army remains a critical pillar of Nigeria’s military success against evolving security threats.
He stated that, through the unique advantages of air power: its height, speed and reach, the Nigerian Air Force continues to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, air mobility, precision strike and close air support capabilities that enable surface forces to seize the initiative, dominate the battlespace and accomplish operational objectives with greater speed, precision and effectiveness.
The ceremony reflected this synergy as a Nigerian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft executed the airlift and deployment of military skydivers, demonstrating the Service’s ability to project air power across vast distances with speed and operational excellence in support of joint missions.
He added that this enduring integration of air and land capabilities has consistently produced tangible operational successes of Nigeria’s collective resolve to safeguard the nation.
Congratulating the Chief of Army Staff, officers, soldiers, veterans and families of the Nigerian Army on the historic milestone, the CAS applauded their patriotism, resilience and unwavering commitment to national service.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s resolve to continue projecting purposeful and decisive air power in support of surface forces while deepening jointness, interoperability and operational integration among the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
He stressed that the Nigerian Army’s distinguished wartime legacy and enduring record of service remain a powerful reminder that unity of purpose, professionalism and joint operations are indispensable to securing lasting peace and overcoming Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
