The Nigerian Army on Thursday formally pulled out 18 senior officers of the Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport (NACST) following their retirement after 35 years of meritorious service.
The colourful pulling-out parade, held in Benin City, marked the climax of a three-day conference of the corps themed: “Optimising Supply and Transport Capabilities Towards Providing Effective Service Delivery to NA Operations in All Missions.”
Speaking at the ceremony, the Corps Commander, Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport, Major General Danjuma Shagaya, said the retired officers comprised four Major Generals and 14 Brigadier Generals.
Shagaya said the officers had served the nation with dedication from the time of their commissioning until retirement, describing the occasion as both a celebration and a recognition of their immense contributions to the Nigerian Army.
“It is a joyous moment for the Corps of Supply and Transport, as current and former Corps Commanders are present to honour and celebrate these distinguished officers,” he said.
He noted that the pulling-out ceremony remains a longstanding military tradition, providing an opportunity to celebrate years of sacrifice, professionalism and loyal service to the nation.
The corps commander also commended the Chief of Army Staff for recognising the sacrifices and contributions of the retired officers by sending a representative to grace the occasion.
Speaking on behalf of the retirees, Major General Olaniyi Dare said their careers spanned several decades, during which they served the Nigerian Army in various operational, command and staff roles.
According to him, the Corps of Supply and Transport plays a central and indispensable role in the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.
“We were entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that soldiers deployed across various theatres of operation are adequately sustained,” Dare said.
He added that whether during training, peace support missions, or internal security operations within and outside the country, the corps remained committed to delivering reliable and efficient logistics support.
“As we transition into retirement, we recognise that while we may be leaving active service, our commitment to the ideals and values of the Nigerian Army remains steadfast.
“We will continue to serve as ambassadors of the corps and remain available to contribute our experience and knowledge whenever we are called upon,” he said.
Dare described the ceremony as symbolic, saying it provided a moment to reflect on decades of service, sacrifice and commitment to national defence.
He also paid tribute to the families of the retired officers, acknowledging their critical support throughout the years.
“Military life often demands long separations, personal sacrifices and constant movement. Their understanding, patience and encouragement made it possible for us to fulfil our duties with dedication,” he added.
The event drew serving and former senior officers of the corps, who gathered to celebrate the retirees’ legacy and their contributions to sustaining Nigerian Army operations across multiple theatres.
