Rear Adm. Oladipo Fahad, Joint Task Force Commander, Operation Delta Safe, has applauded the resilience and dedication of troops deployed to protect oil installations in the Niger Delta region.

The Commander of the joint military force expressed the view during a special Christmas lunch with personnel, at the JTF headquarters in Bayelsa.

According to Fahad, the luncheon was aimed at recognizing the dedication and sacrifices of the troops in safeguarding lives and maintaining peace, particularly during the festive season.

The high point of the event was the symbolic serving of Christmas meals to the troops by the Commander, and other dignitaries, which reinforced leadership’s closeness to the rank and file.

The Commander, during his goodwill message, reiterated the military’s commitment to improving the living and working conditions of personnel and their families.

According to him: “I want to pass the message of the Chief of Defence Staff, he extends warm regards for Christmas and we must reflect the purpose of Christmas.

“He appreciated all our patriotism, resilience and support for the armed forces of Nigeria, despite all the challenges we are going through and all challenges confronting the nation.

“Be steadfast, believe in the Nigeria project it is vital to the source of our strength and the motivation of our troops.

“The cooperation and synergy between the military and the citizenry are indispensable to attainment of sustainable peace and security.

“He urged us to continue to remain resolute in our constitutional mandate to defend the nation’s general sovereignty, territorial integrity and democratic institutions.

“He said we should use this festive period to promote peace, tolerance and unity across ethnic religious and cultural lines,” he said.