The Nigerian Army on Thursday 27 April 23 had a colourful Trooping and Presentation of Colours Parade at the Eagle Square in Abuja the Capital City of Nigeria which had the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria as the reviewing officer. In that 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, noticable was the participation of the female officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army. Female Officers were seen both commanding the Guards of all females as well as recipient of the Colours on behalf of their units. This is very significant as the UN has been advocating for increase in women participation in Peacekeeping Operations.
It could be recalled that the Nigerian Army Women Corps was established during Lt Gen TY Buratai tenure as Chief of Army Staff and lots of female officers were trained as Regular combat commission officers. It is worthy of note also that, female soldiers being deployed to man the Abuja- Kaduna Express road when bandits were disturbing where they gave a good account of themselves.
Of importance and eye catching during the Trooping and Presentation of Colour Parade that was well attended by highly level dignitaries and the general public was the colourful 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. Interestingly also was 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 responsible 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.
In an unstructured interview with L/Cpl Maria of Guards Brigade Band, it was observed that she 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 Nigeria Army in 2015 having nursed the desire for long. She participated in Operation Lafiya Dole in 2016 at the heat of Boko Haram insurgency in the North East Nigeria. She has attended the Drum Major Band Course in Lagos in 2018 and 2022 obtaining A1, A2 and À3 certifications.
She cherished being given the opportunity to serve her country and the Nigerian Army. She has participated in several parades and feels highly honoured to be part of the Trooping and Presentation of Colours Parade which comes not too often. She added that the Army has great opportunities for the female gender, she however added that discipline, hard work and loyalty and obedience to rules and regulations of the Nigerian Army is a must.