*Army put adversaries in dissarray’
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Maj Gen Christopher Musa; the Chief of Army Staff, Maj Gen Abiodun Lagbaja and Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla, at the weekend, participated in the traditional pulling out ceremony of the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, who retired from the army after 35 years in service.
Retiring members of the 38 and 39 Regular Courses of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) also participated in the colourful ceremony marked by parades, march past and special military rendition at the Army Headquarters Garrison Parade Ground, Mogadishu Military Cantonment, Abuja.
In his remarks at the event, the immediate past army chief said the exploits of the Nigerian Army put the country’s adversaries in disarray in all fronts.
According to him, the anti-illegal oil bunkering operations being conducted by troops in the Niger Delta region had continued to yield positive results with attendant increment in oil production, which returned the country to the top of the list of oil producing countries in Africa.
He charged Nigerian Army personnel not to relent in providing support to the new COAS to ensure his successful execution of the constitutional responsibilities of the Nigerian Army.
The Nigerian Army pull out parade ceremony was in line with the military tradition of honouring retiring senior officers of the rank of general, who served without blemish.
In his valedictory speech, Yahaya who was the Special Guest of Honour and Reviewing Officer of the pulling out parade, expressed gratitude to God for a meritorious career that culminated in his command of the army.
Reminiscing on his career in the army, Gen Yahaya described his military sojourn as eventful with very tasking experience.
He also expressed appreciation to members of his family and colleagues for their support and steadfastness throughout his career.
Gen Yahaya also remembered fallen colleagues, who paid the supreme price in various theatres of operation across the country, adding, that the army made huge sacrifices in defending and ensuring lasting peace in the country.
He appreciated his predecessors for their dedication and service to the army, which he noted, significantly addressed security challenges during their tenure, stressing that they provided good platforms for others to build upon and significantly resulted in denying terrorists and insurgents freedom of action as well as restoration of peace and confidence to the affected communities.
The event was graced by the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj Gen Christopher Musa, the Chief of Army Staff Maj Gen Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla, former defence chief, Gen Alexander Ogomudia (rtd), former army chief, Lt Gen Ihejirika (rtd) members of the National Assembly, captains of industry, among several other dignitaries.
