Nigerian Army Decorates 35 Senior Officers With Their New Ranks As Defence Chief Charges Them To Defend Democracy and Safeguard Nigerians

Nigerian Army Decorates 35 Senior Officers With Their New Ranks As Defence Chief Charges Them To Defend Democracy and Safeguard Nigerians

The Nigerian Army on Monday, 23 December 2024, conducted investiture for 35 newly promoted Major Generals at Army Headquarters Command Officers’ Mess 1, Asokoro, Abuja.

The Special Guest of Honour, Chief of Defence Staff, 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.

He charged the newly decorated senior officers to remain loyal, dedicated to duty, and defend democracy in Nigeria. He called on them to improve the welfare of the troops under their command and ultimately enhance the Armed Forces through their actions.

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. He emphasized the need to give life to his command philosophy to “consolidate the transformation of the Nigeria Army towards bequeathing a well-motivated and combat ready force that can effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi agency environment”.

The Army Chief expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his strategic guidance to the NA. He equally appreciated the Minister of Defence Muhammad Badaru Abubakar and the Minister of State for Defence Dr Muhammad Bello Matawalle for their support.

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 are 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.