The Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd),the Chief of Defence Staff General Lucky Irabor and Chief of Army Staff Lt.Gen Faruk Yahaya on Thursday tasked the newly promoted military officers to end the insecurity in the country
They made the call at the investiture of the newly promoted Major Generals at the grand ceremony held at the Army Headquarters Command Officers Mess, Asokoro, Abuja.
The Nigerian Army on Thursday, December 30, 2021, made history at the ceremony when two brothers from the same parents, one the elder and Corps Commander, Nigerian Army Artillery, Major Gen TA Gagariga, decorated his younger brother Teriworie Gagariga with his new rank of Major General.
Both siblings also serve in the same corps of artillery hail from Bayelsa State in South-South Nigeria.
Speaking at the grand investiture ceremony, the Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) who delivered the fecilitations of President Muhammadu Buhari challenged the newly promoted Senior Officers in the Military to reinvigorate efforts and bring the current security challenges bedevilling the country to an end.
Maj. Gen. Magashi (rtd) said to whom much is given, much is expected pointing out that the newly decorated Officers must justify their new ranks by rendering selfless service to the nation.
He said their elevation to the enviable ranks are well deserved and urged them to remain focused in the discharge of their mandate to comprehensively defeat the adversaries.
He reminded them that they cannot afford to let down the nation in their call to a higher responsibility in defending the Nation’s territorial integrity and in meeting the National aspirations for peace in all dark spots of insecurity in parts of the Country.
The Defence Minister, therefore, congratulated the officers, their spouses and families for the new feet attained by their loved ones in service to the nation.
Similarly, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor charged newly-promoted Rear Admirals in the Nigerian Navy to display more dedication and commitment that their new ranks deserve noting that promotion comes from God.
To those who did not make it this time, Gen Irabor urged them not to despair noting that there are other opportunities even as he pointed out that the number of those promoted was based on vacancies as the military operates on a pyramid structure.
On his part, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Faruk Yahaya told the newly decorated Officers to see their new ranks as a call to higher duty.
He urged the officers to remain committed to service in order to overcome the security challenges facing Nigeria.
He challenged them to ruthless degrade the criminal elements pointing out that the officers must remain highly professional and apolitical adding that there is no room for indolence.
The COAS said, “You are aware of our security challenges and we must remain committed and focused in dealing with these challenges.
“In doing this, you have to be ruthless with the terrorists, with the kidnappers, with bandits and other criminals. We must not be apolitical in discharging our responsibilities, in ensuring peace and security and defending our democracy.”
The Army chief further urged them to accept their deployment in good faith, while assuring them total support to help them carry out their duties.
While thanking the Minister of Defence for his support to the Service, Lt Gen Yahaya called.
He noted that promotion comes from God and told the newly elevated Officers to justify the confidence reposed in them by showing greater discipline and dedication to duty as well as unhindered loyalty to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Among the Major Generals decorated are Major-Gen Abdulwahab Eyitayo, GOC 7 division, Maiduguri, Major Gen Ibrahim Salihu, Acting Chief of Military Intelligence, Major Gen Umar T. Musa, one time Guards Brigade Commander, Major Gen Bernard Onyeuko, Major Gen Buhari Baffa, Nigeria’s Defence Attache’ London, Major Gen Victor Ebaleme, Major Gen Jamaal Abdusalam, Military Secretary Army, Major Gen Henry Wesley, Major Gen Adisa Ariyibi, Major Gen Bamidele Alabi, Major Gen Adebayo Adeyinka.
Others include Major Gen Aminu Chinade, Commandant Depot Nigerian Army, Major Gen Maikano Abdullahi, OSMA President and Vice President International Military Sports Organization and Major Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim, DG NYSC.
For the Navy, those decorated Rear Admirals included, Rear Admiral Saburi Lawal, Chairman, Military Pensions Board, Rear Admiral Alex Bingel, Rear Admiral Hamza Kaoje, Rear Admiral C. Azike, Rear Admiral Clinton Izu, Rear Admiral Chukwuemeka Ezete, Rear Admiral Adesina Akinwade, Rear Admiral AM Ibrahim and Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogala
The Army decoration ceremony was attended by the Edo State Governor Godwin Obasaki, National Security Adviser, Maj Gen Mohammed Manguno (rtd), His Excellency, the Nigerian Ambassador to The Republic of Benin and former Chief of Army Staff Lt General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd) Chairman Senate Committee on Army Ali Ndume and Chairman House Committee on Army Abdulrasaq Namdas featured investitures of 41 Brigadier General to Major General and 75 Colonel to Brigadier General.
Members of Course 41 Regular intakes of the Nigerian Defence Academy who benefitted from the promotions thereafter cut a thanksgiving cake at the officer’s mess of the National Defence College and thereafter pledge to further dedicate themselves and show more commitment towards achieving the mandates of their various services.