By Augustine Ehikioya
Nine newly promoted Majors to Lieutenant Colonels serving at the Army Headquarters Garrison were decorated with their new ranks on Monday by their Commander, Major General Salisu Dahiru. They are among the many that were recently promoted nationwide.
The brief ceremony, which took place at the Army Headquarters Command Officers Mess in Abuja, was covered by Security Watch Africa (SWA).
The nine officers, who were promoted by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) on the 28th of October, 2021 and decorated on Monday included:
Comfort Ronke Adamu had BSc. Sociology and Antropology from University of Maiduguri and a Master of Science Degree in Sociology and Antropology from University of Ilorin.
Before the promotion, she had served in several units and formations including Instructor at the Nigeria Military School, Zaria
Oluwasegun Alabi has held many instructional and command appointments, which included Instructor, Nigeria Military School, Zaria, Admistrative Officer, Command Secondary School in Ebonyi State.
He is currently the Acting Commandant of Command Science and Technical Secondary School, Akwanga, Nasarawa State.
Sagir Isah has six degrees including a PhD from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
He has held various appointments including H.O.D. Political Science, Nigeria Army School of Education.
Castrol Akubur participated in the following operations; Operation Crocodile Smile 1, 2 and 3, Operation Python Dance 4.
Zando Danjuma has military and civil qualifications including Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science, Post Graduate Diploma in Education, Diploma in French Language and Staff Cource in Greece.
Ukpong Dan Okon had BSc Economics from University of Calabar, Post Graduate Diploma in Education, Masters in Economics from Ahmadu Bello Univerity, Zaria.
Musa Abbas attended the following missions and operations; United Nations Mission in Liberia, United Nations Mission in Darfur, Crocodile Smile 1 and 2.
Moses Samuel Dibal has participated in the following military operations; Operation Zaman Lafiya, Operation Lafiya Dole, and Instructor, Nigeria Military School, Zaria.
Babatunde Adegoke attended United Nations African Mission in Darfur.
Charging the newly decorated officers not to rest on their oars, the Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison Command, Major General Salisu Dahiru urged them to do their utmost best to satisfy the system and the country.
Stressing that their hardwork earned them the new rank, he said that the next ranks will be harder to come.
“The higher you go, the tougher it becomes.,” he noted.
He warned them that they have to be more careful henceforth as they now have to take decisions bordering on life and death, and pushing men to the frontline.
He urged them to be professional, not to be bias, and never take side with anybody in order to succeed.
“Don’t underate anybody, be humble, leave your mind open to various opinion from people and you will always make the best decision and judgement.”
The Commander, Garrison Education Services, Brigadier General U. A. Mammadi and the Commander, Command Workshop, Colonel Thompson Oshoporu gave words of advice to the beneficiaries.
Stressing that promotion comes from God, they said to whom much is given, much is expected.
Urging them to take responsibility, the two senior officers pointed out that excuses would not be entertained for not meeting up.
With the heavy weight on their shoulders now, they adviced them to handle the new rank with the fear of God.
On behalf of the newly decorated officers, Lt. Col. Comfort Adamu, said that the resolved assurance of the beneficiaries to the COAS is “that we will justify the confidence repose on us with this enviable rank by injecting measurable contribution and re-doubling our efforts in our respective areas of deployment.”
Speaking with Security Watch Africa at the end of the decoration, one of the newly decorated officers, Lt. Col. Oluwasegun Alabi said, “I am very happy. Before I joined the military, the pledge has already been made, which is to defend my father’s land, our territorial boundaries from being invaded by enemies.”
On his part, Lt. Col. Zando Danjuma said “I feel elated, I feel happy. It is a fulfillment of expectations for six years. We have waited long for six years. Glory be to God, it is not everybody that gets to this stage.
“That God has allowed me to get to this rank is a thing of joy. I owe Nigerian Army a lot, it has invested much on me. With the elevation, I am going to be as selfless as I can be. At this stage in our country, we need selfless leaders more than anything else.
“We should be able to stand up and be counted for the unity of this country and in defence of our integrity. I want to reaffirm my loyalty to this country, to the COAS, to the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces that I will continue do my bit to contribute towards nation-building,” he added.
The ceremony was graced by the beneficiaries’ family members, friends and well wishers.