By Odimmegwa Johnpeter, Abuja
The newly appointed Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru has finally took over from Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai as the Chief of Army Staff.
This historic event took place during the Handing and Taking over Ceremony between the Outgoing Chief of Army Lt Gen Tukur Buratai and incoming Chief of Army Staff Maj Gen Ibrahim Attahiru in Abuja.
During the occasion, the outgoing Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai reiterated the key things he will be remembered for during his tenure as Chief of Army Staff.
According to him, he had improved professionalism in the NA, responsiveness in the training,logistics and welfare of the soldiers ,officers and men of the NA including their members and the improvement of the responsiveness to the Nigerian Democratic imperative.
Gen. Buratai noted that, his achievements within 66 months as he superintended the affairs of Army has increased Civil military relations,brought new innovations, cyber warfare, research and development, infrastructural development, production of fighting platforms (military hardware), among others has drastically stabilised the security challenges in the country.
He however thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the privilege and honour to serve as the COAS till he honourably resigned.
He also thanked officers and men of the NA for the loyalty,discipline and commitment accorded to him during his tenure as COAS
He therefore commended the troops in all the formations and theatre operations for their show of patriotism,professionalism and dexterity in the fight against insurgents, banditry, kidnapping and other associated crimein the country.
Gen. Buratai was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2015 as the Chief of Army Staff,spent 40 years in service as a soldier and 66 months in office as COAS.
In his welcome address, Lt. Gen. Lamidi Adeosun described Gen. Buratai’s tenure as COAS as highly successful and rewarding tenure in terms of infrastructural development, welfare of personnel and soldiers,selfless service among others.
Gen. Adeosun who is the Chief of Policy and Plans ,Army , noted that Gen. Buratai has come ,saw and conquered as COAS and wished him well in his future endeavours.
Recall that Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru was appointed as the new Chief of Army Staff on Tuesday alongside with other Service Chiefs following the resignation of the outgoing Service Chiefs on January 26, 2021.
President Buhari had on Wednesday met with the New Service Chiefs noting that Nigeria is “in the state of emergency” and charged them to pay more attention to the morale of the officers and men of the military.
The President however charged the newly appointed Service Chiefs to be patriotic in the discharge of their duties and be dedicated to ending insecurity in the country.
Before his appointment as COAS, Gen. Attahiru held several positions in NA, amongst them are ; the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Nigerian Army Enugu, Deputy Director Military Secretary 2 at the AHQ MS (A), Director Army Public Relations, Theatre Commander,Operation Lafiya Dole , Director Staff Duties and Deputy Chief of Policy and Plans at the Army Headquarters.
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