The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor and the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya have urged 62 retired Generals and retiring Generals of the Nigerian Army (NA) to be good ambassador of the army, to propagate and sell Army in good light which will be the service to the nation and to the Nigerian army.
The Service Chiefs said this at a 2022 Send-Off Regimental Dinner and award Night while urging them never to rest on their oars even in retirement until the security challenge in the country is brought to an end in favour of the Armed Force and by extension the Nation, adding that, This is a representation of National Honour.
Speaking at the 2022 Send-Off Regimental Dinner Night Parade in Honour of Retired and Retiring Nigerian Army Generals in Asokoro Abuja, the Chief of Defence Staff said the dinner signify the beginning of a process where they can transition into another phase of life, where they will see things differently, giving yield to the experiences gathered over three and a half Decades..
The CDS opined that services rendered in the Armed Forces are noble, the dedication, sacrifice, the service and from a perspective to die for the services of ones country is a noble course. "So to have been a part of this noble service, the least to be done to celebrate you is this Dinner".
Welcoming the Chief of Defence and his wife who is a Special guest of honour, the COAS said this is the second edition organise to appreciate and thank and to acknowledge the contribution and sacrifices to their fatherland as a retired and retiring Generals of the Nigerian Army.
He noted that for over 35 years, the retiring Generals have rendered services to the country, they have operated and tranvass across the country in all theatres of operations and even across to another nation for peacekeeping where they contributed to security of the country.
" You have delivered very meritoriously that elevated you to Major Generals, Brigadier Generals. So for me, this is the celebration of life to appreciate and thank you as you retired beautifully.
He urged them to celebrate and as they retire, they should be ambassadors of the noble profession, in Nigerian army they gave served 35years
"Don't talk bad about Nigerian Army as a retired Generals. We gave been engaging some retired senior officers who are at our Recourse Centre, School of Artillery, School of Infantry, un the Armour and across suburb in medical. We are willing and ready to engage because we know the quality of what is embedded in you, what you can deliver while you were serving.
Earlier in his words, the Chief of Administration Nigerian Army, Major General Ogbe Wiliam Ali while welcoming the 62 Generals of the Nigerian Army amongst who retired last year, this year, and those retiring by the end of the year, which comprises of 24 Major Generals and 38 Brigadier Generals said, these distinguished Generals, alongside their spouses, are being celebrated for their meritorious service to the motherland.
General Ali noted that today's occasion is therefore a continuation of the noble innovation and the second in this series which was initiated the noble concept in 2021 by Chief of Army Staff of giving retired and retiring Generals of the Nigerian army a memorable exits from the service.
He stated that retirement is an inevitable fate in the life of every public servants particularly members of the armed forces as it makes the completion of their service to our dear nation
"The senior officers have given the better parts of their lives to the defence of the territorial integrity of our dear country, and it's only appropriate to celebrate them in appreciation of their services to the nation.
"Having serve the nation for over 30 years and attaining the rank of Brigadier General and Major General it is possible that one exist the service triumphantly no matter the vary perception in the course of the race and today's occasion is therefore the climax of events in tradition and appreciation of ones service to motherland", he stressed.
General Ali said the ceremony is equally unique as it ushers us into the end of the year and the Chritmas season and it is important to know that similar events had been held by the Army headquarters Garrison and formation across the country for Colonels and other junior ranks that have existed the service in the same spirit of appreciation.
Dignitaries at the 2022 Send-Off Regimental Dinner Night has urged retired officers and retiring Generals of the Nigerian Army (NA) were the Chief Of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, Principal Senior Officers of the Nigerian Army, 62 Generals of the Nigerian Army amongst who retired last year, this year, and those retiring by the end of the year, their Spouses and friends of the Nigerian Army.
