The Executive Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu, bade farewell to Lagos State selected candidates of 90 Regular Recruit Intake (RRI) in a Departure Ceremony organised by Lagos State Government on 2nd January, 2026 at the TA Lagbaja Cantonment parade ground, Ikeja.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was represented at the occasion by the Secretary to the Lagos State Government (SSG), Barrister Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, appreciated the parents of the candidates for raising children with high morale standards and allowing them to represent the State and serve the Nation in general.
She assured the candidates that the whole State is behind them as depart for training.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commander 9 Brigade Nigerian Army (NA) Brigadier General Ayokunle Olufemi Owolabi congratulated the candidates for the successful completion of the selection phase of their enlistment process into the NA.
He said the onerous task before them is the training in the respective NA depots. But having passed their medical, physical, and mental test/examination, with the required determination and perseverance, they will all come out victorious from the training.
He admonished them to note that the military job is all about sacrifices and patriotism, and they must put that at the back of their minds while in training.
Delivering their Goodwill messages, Distinguished Senator Musiliu Obanikoro said, having served as a State Minister for Defence, the candidates should count themselves lucky to join a profession which the government gives topmost priority to their training both home and abroad.
He enjoined the candidates to put in their best in training in order to make the state proud. His Royal Majesty, the Onisabe of Igbobi, Oba Owolabi Adeniyi, told the candidates that the prayer of the land is with them as they go into training.
The executive chairman, Ibeju-Lekki LGA, and Chairman Conference 57 Lagos State, Honourable Sesan Olowa, said the candidates should consider themselves lucky for being chosen among many Lagosians to represent the State. He charged them to be good ambassadors of the state while in training.
Delivering the Vote of Thanks, the Permanent Secretary office of the SSG/Cabinet Office, Miss Ogunlana Toyin thanked the Commander 9 Brigade for providing the supporting staff for the selection exercise and ensuring transparency and fairness in all the processes.
She said the professionalism, dedication, and discipline exhibited by the military personnel has indeed laid a solid foundation for the candidates as they began their journey into the military.
In a statement by Major Cornelius Gutus, spokesperson of the 9 Brigade on Saturday, 3rd January, 2026 added that the occasion was graced by the Federal Character Commissioner Lagos State, Abdulwasiu Kayode, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Down Commission and Southwest Integration, Honourable Ismail Odesanya, Executive Chairmen of Ikeja LGA and Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area, and directors from Lagos State Cabinet Office among others.
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