Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
Newly-promoted senior officers of the Nigerian Army (NA) have been urged to restore to restore peace and security in Nigeria.
Stonix News reports that the populous sub-sahara country has been plagued by insurgents and terrorists such as Boko Haram and ISWAP in North Eastern Nigeria and herdsmen and bandits in North West, Middle Belt, South West and other parts of the country over the years.
Addressing the officers December 30, 2021 during the decoration of the newly-promoted Brigadier Generals to substantive rank of Major General, and Colonels to the rank of Brigadier Generals at the Army Headquarters, Command Officers’ Mess 1, Asokoro, Abuja, Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (retd), charged them to discharge their duties professionally and remain loyal to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu in a report, the minister, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, felicitated with the newly-promoted senior officers.
Magashi described their elevation as a recognition for their diligence and selfless sacrifices, both individually and collectively, to the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the nation in general.
He reminded the senior officers of the enormous responsibilities that come with their promotion.
He added that the country relied on their wealth of knowledge, character and professionalism to develop an enduring panacea to defeat insurgency, banditry and other forms of criminality in the country.
Major General Magashi assured that the Federal Government will continue to support the NA, especially in the acquisition of military hardware to facilitate the conduct of its operations across the country.
Speaking at the investiture, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, charged the newly-decorated senior officers to remain loyal to the President and constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He reminded them of the current security challenges and urged them to remain focused in their effort to ensure peace and security across the country.
He expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for his strategic guidance and the confidence reposed in the NA and other security agencies.
One of the newly-decorated senior officers, Major General Chijioke Onwunle, who spoke on behalf of all the decorated officers, reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty to the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and the constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria.
Besides Major General Magashi, who decorated the new officers, some other dignitaries at the event were the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume, Chairman House Committee on Army Honourable Abdulrazak Namdas and the Speaker Kaduna State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Ysuf Zailani
Others included Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai (retd), representatives of the Chiefs of Naval and Air Staff, President Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association Mrs Salamatu Faruk Yahaya, serving and retired senior officers, Principal Staff Officers from Defence and Services Headquarters, among others.