The Nigerian Army (NA) on Friday pulled out 32 Medical Corps Generals out of active service in a colourful ceremony in Lagos.
The retired officers who were pulled out in a parade at the 65 Battalion Parade Ground Bonny Camp, Victoria Island Lagos were 2 Major Generals and 30 Brigadier Generals, namely Major General IBJ Okeke (RTD), Major General A Kigbu , Brigadier General CB Wanda RTD, Brigadier General RCE John RTD, Brigadier General KT Archiving RTD, Brigadier General SE David RTD, Brigadier General SE Aliu RTD, Brigadier General ST Olasupo RTD, Brigadier General MA Abdulahi RTD, and Brigadier General NAA Hussaini RTD.
Others are Brigadier General A Dada RTD, Brigadier General JUO Bassey RTD, Brigadier General NAE Okeji RTD, Brigadier General AJ Enogela RTD, Brigadier General FN Mbibi RTD, Brigadier General TAY Ibrahim RTD, Brigadier General PD Yusuf RTD, Brigadier General K Salawu RTD, Brigadier General NA Abdurahim RTD, Brigadier General FO Pearse RTD, Brigadier General ETO Adebayo RTD, Brigadier General AL Onovo RTD , Brigadier General AF Omotosho RTD , Brigadier General JC Mbibi RTD, Brigadier General FD Gyang RTD, Brigadier General EB Ajayi RTD, Brigadier General FIT Ariori RTD, Brigadier General TA Adelanwa RTD, Brigadier General ANChujor RTD, Brigadier General QA Ahmed RTD, Brigadier General AO Ibeokoye RTD, and Brigadier General CA Thomas.
Speaking on behalf of the pulled-out Generals, Major General IBJ Okeke (Rtd) thanked the COAS and the Ag CM who found it necessary to find a way to appreciate the services rendered in the 35 years or more which indicate that the Nigerian Army and in particular the NAMC still value the age-old customs and traditions of the Nigerian Army and value team contribution to the service
"Today’s event is therefore our valedictory parade and is a day of mixed feelings of joy, nostalgia, a little sadness and deep thoughts but we thank God and we are happy for the privilege to retire from service in good physical and mental health. My remarks today will convey my gratitude and thoughts on this pivotal occasion.
"It is note-worthy that all the Generals being pulled out today retired voluntarily and with relevance of NMS as a source of much needed manpower and the need It is disheartening that the that the school should be supported.
"Retirement from service is a normal event. From the day military personnel is enlisted or commissioned, the clock starts ticking and ultimately ends when one has completed his years of service, or due to age or health reasons. It is most honorable to retire voluntarily rather than compulsory retirement or other ways", he noted.
He enjoined the Corps to cash in on the goodwill of the COAS and seek for more ways of utilizing the experiences and skills of more retired personnel. In order to improve on the manpower situation in the Corps, he appealed to the Army HQ to make the commissioning of medical personnel a regular, annual, predictable and sustainable event.
He suggested that a pre-retirement comprehensive medical examination for potential retirees be introduced and funded by the Army, adding that this will form a baseline for the continuity of medical care after retirement and reduce the incidence of morbidity and mortality among veterans.
He said he enjoyed the goodwill of the former COAS, that resufed in the largest number of promotions to the Rank of Brig Gen during his tenure. It was also the period that the massive renovation, reconstruction and re-equipping of the tertiary hospitals by the then COAS began. "We left a Corps that we can be proud of, with better infrastructure and equipment, though less so of trained personnel", he stated.
The Nigerian Army Medical Corps is one of the most highly specialized and cherished corps in the Army
SpyeTV News reports that Major General IBJ Okeke (Rtd) is also the Reviewing Officer of the parade.