By Okosun Dennis
23 Senior Officers of the Nigerian Army Finance Corps (NAFC) were on Friday honoured with a pulling out ceremony held at the Bonny Cantonment Parade Ground, bringing to a glorious end a successful tour of duty.
Speaking at the occasion, the Chief of Budget and Account Army, Major General Adetokunbo Fayemiwo said the retired generals being pulled out were among the most deserving retired senior officers of the Finance Corps who laid the foundation of the present successes of the Corps.
He noted that even in retirement the retired generals have continued to offer their wealth of knowledge and expertise in support of the corps and mentoring the upcoming officers towards a successful career.
The ceremony witnessed by the Cream-la-de Cream of past and present generals saw the pulling-out parade of officers of the Finance Corp, Nigerian Army.
The ceremony which was gleefully graced by the retired officers’ wives, family members and members of the Diplomatic Corp signalled their former exit from the army.
Addressing the retired officers during the ceremony, the former Commander, Nigerian Army Finance Corp, Major General Charles Airhiavbere (retd), who was also the Special Guest of Honour in his valedictory speech, described “the officers as gentlemen and Women who have served the country meritoriously.”
He said the pulling out took place in a period when the country is going through security challenges, noting that officers must remain focused and be innovative in their pursuit in the service.
Admonishing personnel of the force, he said “Officers must remain focused, dedicated to the job, serve with their might and be loyal to the government,” in addition noted that they must keep the spirit of comradeship in the Finance Corp, just as they must uphold the integrity of the Corp at all times.
Reflecting on his years in the service, Gen Airhiavbere explained, “I started my military career in 1969 and retired in 2011. The parade is a tradition dating back to the colonial era, to mark the end of a career in the army, and to celebrate senior officers for their unblemished service to our fatherland.
“It is time to give thanks to the Almighty God. I believe a day like this is destined to come. Nothing happens by chance. My colleagues and I served meritoriously, to start other processes of life, which our pulling out a signal today.
He disclosed that they were exiting the Service at a time when the nation was inundated by diverse security challenges, stressing that these challenges have necessitated several operational adjustments by the NA to effectively tackle and overcome the menace.
Accordingly, Gen Airhiavbere charged all Finance Corps personnel to be more innovative, proactive and result-oriented in the discharge of their primary responsibility to the NA in a joint environment.
The past Corps Commanders and retired generals honoured include Major Generals JO Lartey, BVT Kwaji, DA Bako, Charles Airhiavbere, CU Agulanna and MK Yunusa. Others were Brigadier Generals SU Umusu, MA Nyiam, JA Adejoh, BB Adewinmbi, FA Mohammed, CU Akagu, JO Ozigi, MK Joktara, OP Sintali, YB Yakubu, JS Sura, AA Adekoya, IZ Ohiaka, JA Faransi and YK Musa.
Special guests who graced the occasion included the President of Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA) Mrs Salamatu Yahaya, General Officers Commanding 81 Division Major General Obinna Ajunwa, Former Director of Defence Information Major General Chris Olukolade (rtd) Former Director Army Public Relations Major General CO Onwuamaegbu (rtd) and Former Director Army Public Relations Brigadier General Usman Kukasheka (rtd) among several others friends and family members.
The high point of the occasion was the pulling out of the retired generals towards the cantonment gate for the final exit.
https://any.peopleandpowermag.com/army-honours-retired-finance-officers-with-pulling-out-ceremony/
