The Nigerian Army on Thursday announced an end to the use of 53 regimental colours used in the order of battle.
The military made the announcement at the Trooping and Presentation of Colours Parade in Abuja.
The event is being held at Eagle Square Abuja and presided over by the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari.
As earlier announced, the event also witnessed the issuance of colours to 28 newly created units bringing the number of units in the Nigerian Army to 81.
The Army’s Director of Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu told the press that the Trooping and Presentation of Colours Parade was last conducted in Nigeria in 2007.
He also disclosed it’s customary to retire the colours after ten years of service.
He stated that new units had been established and operationalised since then in line with the increasing operational commitments of the army as well as provisions of its extant Order of Battle, while noting that most of the colours in the Nigerian Army have been used in multiple operations in various geopolitical zones of the country as well as foreign countries, therefore deserving retirement and the presentation of new ones.
Nwachukwu explained that “It is against this backdrop and in line with the traditions, customs and ethics of the Nigerian Army, trooping and presentation of colours parade 2023 will be conducted to retire torn or worn out colours.
“A total of 81 units will, therefore, be participating in the parade; 53 colours will be due for retirement, while 28 will be presented to new units.