Nigerian Army Decorates 39 New Major Generals

By Aviashima Toom, Abuja.

The Nigerian Army has on Friday, decorated the 39 newly promoted Major Generals with their new ranks.

They includes, the Commander Sector 2 Operation Lafiya Dole Maj Gen Olufemi Oluyede, General Officer Commanding 7 Division Maiduguri, Maj Gen. Kalif Ibrahim and the General Officer Commanding 8 Division Sokoto, Maj Gen. Aminu Bande.

Also decorated is the Provost Marshal, Maj Gen. Hussain Ahmed, among others.

The Minister of Defence, Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd), while congratulating the newly decorated generals, urged them to be committed, diligence as well as remain responsive in the discharge of the constitutional duties.

Gen. Magashi said the officers’ disposition of hard work, dedication and loyalty to the constituted authority earned them the promotion.

According to him, their new ranks should be a call to service and sacrifice to the defence of the country as the nation is confronted with myriad of security challenges.

He stated further that the welfare and provisions of equitable equipment for the officers is of top priority of the Federal government to enhance their performance.

“I urged you to justify the confidence reposed in you by working hard to rid the country of the prevailing security challenges.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, admonished the new top generals to do their best in protecting the country within the confines of the constitution and rules of engagement.

He said their promotion was well deserved while warning that the authority would not tolerate any form of indiscipline and disloyalty.

Buratai also warned them against hobnobbing with politicians and lobbying for appointments.

According to him, the chief of army staff is the only one to be lobbied with hard work, discipline, excellence, loyalty and professionalism.

“I challenge you to maintain state of fitness and be ready to show fitness in leading your troops and also pay attention to the welfare of your subordinates.

“There is much work to be done and some of you are in the theatre of operation while some of you can also find yourselves there,” he said.

Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Lt.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, urged the newly promoted generals to be firm in decision making and mentoring.

Adeosun said that all 2-star generals are decision makers, adding that they must ensure that whatever advice they offer must lead to proper decision making.

“You are all answers by the authority of the rank you are wearing and you cannot afford to make careless mistakes,” he said.

Adeosun urged the senior officers to pay attention to mentoring rather than godfatherism, adding that mentorship was seriously lacking in the system.

According to him, what we have is godfatherism but mentors must make sure that their mentees are guided properly.

The Chief of Administration (Army), Maj.-Gen. Usman Yakubu, said that Nigerian army had ensured that only worthy and qualified officers and soldiers were elevated to higher ranks as and when due.

Yakubu said that the officers were promoted based on their deployability and professional competence among other requirements.

He said that several officers of the rank of Brigadier general were presented before the board, adding that board found the 39 promoted officers worthy in character and competence.