How Female Soldiers’ Performance at Trooping Parade Showcased Nigerian Military’s Gender Policy
The gender inclusion policy of the Nigerian military is already yielding fruitful results, and boosting the fight against insecurity by military troops.
Some few years ago, however, the narrative on gender mainstreaming in the Nigerian Armed Forces, was less inspiring.
But since the incumbent Service Chiefs, particularly Gen. Leo Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, assumed office in January 2021, the number of female soldiers and officers involved in combat operations, has risen, impressively.
PRNigeria reports that one of the cardinal visions of Gen. Irabor, together with Lt. Gen. Faruq Yahaya, Chief of Army Staff, COAS, is ensuring that the potential of the Nigerian military gender policy is harnessed maximally.
Recently, the efforts of both Gen. Irabor and Yahaya, with regards to boosting gender inclusion in the country’s Army, was on display.
This was at a colourful Trooping and Presentation of Colours Parade at the Eagle Square, in Abuja. The event had President President Muhammadu Buhari as the reviewing officer.
At the parade, old colours were retired and new colours presented to deserving units of the Nigerian Army, nationwide.
During this memorable parade which was last held 16 years ago in Abuja, the participation of the female officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army stood out. Female Officers were seen commanding the Guards of all females, as well as recipients of the Colours on behalf of their units.
This is very significant as the United Nations has been advocating for an increase in women participation in Peacekeeping Operations. It could be recalled that the Nigerian Army women Corps was established during Lt. Gen TY Buratai’s tenure as Chief of Army Staff, and lots of female officers were trained as Regular combat commission officers.
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Meanwhile, the cynosure of all eyes at the Trooping and Presentation of Colours Parade that was well attended by highly level dignitaries and the general public, was the amazing Nigerian Army Band that provided melodious music during the Parade. Noticable was a female officer, Lt. Seye, who was amongst the 5 band officers that were on parade for the Band Corp.
There was also L/Cpl Maria lbrahim, one of the 3 Drum Majors that participated as part of the Combined Band under the leadership of Lt Col Evans the Corps Commander of the Band Corps of the Nigerian Army. The dexterity and elegance with which she participated in the Combined Band, exhibiting professionalism and smart steps with the Drum Major Mace caught the media eyes.
As a Drum Major which is an appointment and not a rank lies the responsibility for setting the pace of March for the Band, providing commands to the ensemble, leading the band while marching, and directing when to play by raising the Mace and what time to keep.
While speaking on the sideline of the Trooping and Colours Parade, L/Cpl Maria, said she cherished being given the opportunity to serve her country and the Nigerian Army.
She said: “I have participated in several parades and feel highly honoured to be part of this year’s Trooping and Presentation of Colours Parade which comes not too often”.
Maria noted that the Nigerian Army is a military institution with abundant opportunities for the female gender, calling on her colleague female soldiers and officers to remain disciplined, hard working, loyal and obedient to the rules and regulations of the Army.
PRNigeria gathered that L/Cpl Maria of the Guards Brigade Band was born on 5 May 1994, in Jimeta, Yola, Adamawa State.
She had her early elementary school education in Karewa Primary School and Government Girls Secondary School Jimeta Yola. She joined the Nigerian Army in 2015 having nursed the desire for a long time. She participated in Operation Lafiya Dole in 2016, at the heat of the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East.
She has attended the Drum Major Band Course in Lagos in 2018 and 2022, obtaining A1, A2 and À3 certifications.
Credit: PRNigeria
