…as 8 Div GOC, Ibikunle Ajose, now a Major General
By: Okosun Dennis
It was a moment of joy, celebration and high sense of fulfilment as family members joined the elevated officers at decorating them with their new rank badges on Monday as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Olufemi Oluyede, conducted investiture for the 35 promoted Major Generals at Army Headquarters Command Officers’ Mess 1, Asokoro, Abuja.
The Special Guest of Honour, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa said the promotion of the senior officers was a testament to their courage, dedication to duty, professional conduct and sacrifices which subsequent earned them their elevation.
He reminded them that Nigerian Army (NA) and Armed Forces will continue to rely on their leadership and expertise to safeguard the country and Nigerians.
The CDS emphasized the security challenges confronting the country and the need to tackle it head-on. He affirmed that their promotion is a beacon of hope to all Nigerians and a call to reinvigorate their efforts in the fight against security challenges in the country.
The Defence Chief extended appreciation to the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for finding the officers worthy of promotion and assured of their steadfastness in serving the nation.
In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede congratulated the families of the decorated senior officers, adding that without their unrelenting support and prayers, their achievements may not have been possible.
The COAS charged the officers to always keep their new status in mind and justify the confidence reposed on them by the Nigerian Army and the nation.
Among the newly promoted and decorated are the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC), 8 Division and Commander Sector 2 North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Nigerian Army, Major General Ibikunle Ajose.
Maj Gen Ajose was decorated by the former Chief of Defence Staff, General Alexander Odeareduo Ogomudia (retd) who was assisted by his wife of the GOC, Mrs M. Ajose.
Others include Major General AGL Haruna, Acting General Officer Commanding 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 North East Operation HADIN KAI, Major General A Garba Acting Provost Marshal Nigerian Army, Major General UM Alkali, Deputy Chief of Administration, Directorate of Veteran Affairs (Army), Major General NB Ebulue Headquarters Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Major General LG Lepdung Commander Operation WHIRL STROKE, Major General OA Awolo Director Military Training Nigerian Defence Academy, Major General UG Ogeleka Commander Nigerian Army Space Command.
Also decorated were Maj Gen OA Fadairo Commander 12 Brigade, Major General OD Williams Commander 22 Brigade , Major General JR Lar Commander 32 Brigade, Major General AG Mahmuda Commandant Warrant Officer Academy, Major General VD Beryo Commander Nigerian Army Special Forces School, Major General AOD Okoro Director Army Headquarters Department of Special Services and Programmes, Major General SO Adejimi Director Movement Army Headquarters Department of Army Logistics, Major General TT Sidick Director of Finance Nigerian Defence Academy, Major General MCE Ejike Commander Sector 2 Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI, Major General MF Babayo Commander Sector 3 North East Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI, Major General H Yanet Commander 51 Signal Brigade and Major General MK Gara Army Headquarters Department of Training.
Also promoted are Major General BP Koughna Deputy Chief of Military Affairs, Army Headquarters Department of Civil Military Affairs, Maj Gen I Otu Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Maj Gen AO Adegbite Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport Maj Gen IE Ekpeyong Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers, Maj Gen AA Idris Army Headquarters Department of Army Standards and Evaluation, Maj Gen SA Gumel Nigerian Army Resource Centre Strategic Management and Policy Studies, Maj Gen MT Jinadu Commander 82 Division Ordnance Services, Maj Gen SA Jimoh Deputy Director Tender Board Department of Procurement, and Maj Gen UT Opuene Deputy Director Policy and Plans Defence Intelligence Agency, among others.
Speaking on behalf of the promoted senior officers, Major General LG Lepdung appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for endorsing their promotion to the rank of Major General.
Major General Lepdung said the promoted officers will remain highly motivated and dedicated to the service of the Nigerian Army and the nation in general in consonance with the COAS command philosophy. He assured of their dedication to the ideals of the service and will work collectively for the greater good of the Armed Forces and the nation.
Among dignitaries present at the investiture which took place on Monday, 23rd December, 2024 were the Chairman Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulazeez Musa Yar’dua, Chairman House Committee on Army, Honourable Aminu Balele, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, representative of the Chief of the Air Staff, former Chiefs of Defence Staff and representative of the President Nigerian Army Officers Wives’ Association (NAOWA).
Also, in attendance are representatives of the Inspector General of Police, Principal Staff Officers from Defence and Army Headquarters, Corps Commanders, Heads of Defence and NA establishments, Commandants of NA training institutions, well wishers, among others.
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