…AS NEW COMMANDING OFFICER RESUMES
By Okosun Dennis
A new Commanding Officer (C.O), 65 Battalion, Bonny Cantonment Victoria Island, has been appointed and assumed duty in Lagos on Tuesday.
He is Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Marwa. He took over from Lt Col Mohammed Lawal, who had been posted to the 2nd Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Oyo State.
In his farewell address to troops of the battalion shortly after the Handing and Taking over ceremony at the parade ground, Lt Col Lawal reminded the them that Army is a continuum and there is no vacuum in the force, and as such, implored the troops to give their maximum cooperation to his successor.
According to him, “I am handing over well-motivated, gallant, and highly disciplined troops to my successor.
“I urge you to maintain the standard of discipline at all times and strive harder to uplift the image of the battalion and not to bring it down or to disrepute. I know your capabilities as dedicated and impeccable officers.”
Lt Col Lawal, who took over the battalion on the 15th of August, 2022, called on the soldiers to be their brother’s keepers stressing that “Majority of your colleagues are serving in the North East, North West and in other parts of the country fighting different battles. Don’t relent, take care and look after their families, as their well-being is part of your responsibility.”
He charged the incoming Commanding Officer that the task of commanding the battalion could not be done sitting in the office. “Lagos is a cosmopolitan city that something could happen without notice or knowing hence you must check on officers and soldiers deployed to the field.”
However, “there are lots of challenging tasks that could be thrown at you at any time from the Garrison or Division. As I leave the battalion, I am always available for any assistance to make you achieve your goals as the Commanding Officer 65 Battalion,” Lt Col Lawal reiterated in his words of advice.
In a brief address to the troops, the new Commanding Officer, Lt Col Mohammed Marwa wished the troops all the best as he settled down in the battalion.
To the wives of soldiers, popularly referred to as “Magajia,” in military parlance, the outgone Commanding Officer commended them for their steadfastness adding that “you have done well to have made my work easier and helped me to succeed.
He urged them to reciprocate the gesture by giving the same cooperation he enjoyed to his successor.
At the Quarter Guards ceremony, there was the lowering and hoisting of flags, which signaled the end of the tenure of the outgone Commanding Officer and the beginning of a new command under Lt Col Mohammed Marwa.
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