The Guards Brigade today showcased a colorful change of presidential guard’s parade in front of the cenotaph to the Unknown Soldier, opposite Eagle Square, Abuja.
Officers and soldiers from the 7 Guards Battalion, in Maitama and the 177 Guards Battalion, Keffi, staged the handing over and taking over parade respectively of personnel on guard duty at the Aso Rock presidential villa.
The Commander Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Musa Yusuf told journalist that the display symbolizes the discipline and regimental nature of the elite Guards Brigade.
He said, “Usually we have two change of guards parade that we do weekly at the presidential villa, we have the security change of guards, which normally takes place on Saturdays.”
“On Mondays we have the ceremonial change of Guards, between outgoing duty battalion and incoming duty battalion.
He explained that, “While guards’ brigade was in Lagos, this parade was usually conducted for the general public. However, since the movement of the seat of government on the 12th December 1991 to Abuja, this parade has not been regular.
He further said, “last year immediately after the 1st October parade, the Chief of Army Staff in line with his vision and also being a guard officer himself, directed that such parade must be conducted here for the general public as part of civil military activities of the Nigerian army.”
He added that “Immediately after that we started the parade, however it was done on Saturdays, last Saturday we had the Chief of Army Staff here with us, and after observing the parade, he directed that since the parade is meant for the general public we should choose one of the working days.”
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