Following on the heels of the National Assembly’s screening and confirmation of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Faruk Yahaya, in line with the constitutional provisions, President Muhammadu Buhari today elavated and decorated him with his new badge of rank of Lieutenant General.
In a statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the COAS expressed his appreciation to the President for appointing him to serve and command the Nigerian Army as the 22nd COAS.
The Army Spokesperson stated “He pledged to discharge his duties professionally and diligently with utmost respect for the fundamental rights of the citizenry.
“Lieutenant General Yahaya also assured the President of his loyalty to the Constitution and Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and Wife of the COAS, Mrs Salamatu Faruk Yahaya assisted President Buhari in decorating the COAS with his new rank.
Equally present at the event were the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd); Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor; Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, and other senior government officials.
Brig. -Gen. Nwachukwu in his statement added, “The COAS, on arrival at the Army Headquarters, after his decoration, was received by Principal Staff Officers, who felicitated with him on his well deserved decoration. They also presented him with a customized congratulatory card for his elevation to the enviable rank of Lieutenant General.
“This ceremony took place after he had inspected a regimental Special Quarter Guard mounted in his honour; a cherished military tradition that is symbolic to signpost the significance of his arrival in Army Headquarters for the first time in Lieutenant General rank since he assumed command on 28 May 21”.