By Augustine Ehikioya
Towards a secured Nigeria and combating emerging security challenges, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has charged the newly promoted Major Generals in the country to be loyal to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
He made the call on Thursday, 28 December, 2023 at the Investiture Ceremony of 47 newly promoted Brigadier Generals to the rank of Major General at the Army Headquarters Command Officers’ Mess 1, Asokoro, Abuja.
In a statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Major General, Onyema Nwachukwu, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA), the COAS felicitated with the newly promoted senior officers on “their well-deserved elevation and noted that their competencies, diligence and loyalty earned them their promotion.”
The Army Chief appreciated the spouses and families of the elevated senior officers for their understanding and support, as well as coping with absence of parents, regularly separated by duty to fatherland.
He highlighted the need for every personnel to augment his career path and reminded the newly elevated senior officers of the enormous responsibilities that come with their new rank.
He urged them to constantly seek knowledge on diplomatic, economic and political dynamics, to be logical and objectives in their contributions to NA.
The COAS charged the senior officer to “be loyal to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.”
Gen Lagbaja urged the senior officers in their new appointments, to give life to his Command Philosophy of “transforming the NA into a well-trained, equipped and highly motivated force towards achieving our constitutional responsibilities in a joint environment”.
At the occasion, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, charged the newly promoted senior officers of the Nigerian Army (NA) to show exemplary leadership and intensify efforts in the fight against insecurity, especially in the North West and other troubled parts of the Country.
He also noted that the promotion was a “testament to their courage, dedication to duty and hard work, adding, that it is a reward for diligence, professional conduct and selfless sacrifices.”
He harped on the need for the newly promoted senior officers to “lead by example, inspire their subordinates and collaborate with other security agencies to surmount the security challenges in the country.”
The minister acknowledged the rigorous process of selecting the promoted senior officers, reflecting their exceptional leadership skills, strategic thinking and indepth understanding in the course of their careers.
Their contributions to the NA, he said, are invaluable as he expressed confidence in their continuous service to the nation.
Congratulating the senior officers on behalf of the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr Matawalle assured of Federal Government’s adequate welfare interventions and continued support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of the newly decorated senior officers, Major General Gabriel Ajetunmobi thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for endorsing their promotion to the rank of Major General in the Nigerian Army.
He also thanked him for creating an enabling environment, guidance and support for the COAS to steer the affairs of the Nigerian Army.
He said the promoted officers were highly motivated to remain committed and dedicated to the service of the Nigerian army and the nation in general in consonance with the COAS’ vision.
Dignitaries that graced the occasion were Governors of Edo and Taraba State, Mr Godwin Obaseki and Dr Agbu Kefas, Chairman Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, Honourable Minister on Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Others are the National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the representative of Chief of Air Staff and former COAS, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya (rtd),
Also at the occasion were the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, Chief of Defence Intelligence, Heads of Security and Para Military Services, Director (Army)Ministry of Defence, Mr Sunday Attah, Royal fathers, President Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association Mrs Mariya Lagbaja, Principal Staff Officers from Defence and Services Headquarters, Corps Commander, General Officers Commanding, senior officers serving and retires, amongst others.
