Army officers urged to desist from unwholesome activities

Chioma Joseph

Officers and men of the Nigerian Army have been urged to desist from unwholesome activities capable of bringing the Army to disrepute.

Stating this was the outgoing General Officer Commanding, 81 Division, Maj. -Gen. Sanni Yusuf during the official handing cum taking over ceremony on Monday.

Yusuf in his farewell address admonished soldiers to be professional and act in accordance with the laws guiding their profession.

Yusuf who was redeployed to Army Headquarters as the Chief of Administration, Nigerian Army, also appreciated officers of the Division for their support in making his almost one year stay a success.

He said, “ I have piloted the affair of this division for about a year now and I am glad to say that I have commanded and administered a dynamic and peculiar formation like 81 Division. It was indeed a wonderful, interesting and eventful period.

“ In the course of discharging my duties, I introduced other training activities in this formation in addition to the Army Headquarters scheduled activities to enhance our professionalism and regimentation.

This is to ensure that the division is in line with the Chief of Army’s vision of having a professionally responsive Nigerian Army(NA) in the discharge of our constitutional roles.

“ In this regards, I am in no doubt that my successor being a purposeful individual, I know he will improve on the already existing tempo to make all us better personnel of the NA.

You have shown commitment and resilience, and you must endeavour to maintain this feat.

“ Take your profession more seriously and desist from any unwholesome activity capable of bringing yourself and the NA to a disrepute.

I must say I enjoyed all the support and corporation you all accorded me during my tenure through your respective commanders and commanding officers.

The outgoing GOC further thanked the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. -Gen. Tukur Buratai for his numerous support and called on officers of the Division to ensure that the image of the Division and indeed the NA is always in good light.

“ As I bid you farewell, I therefore urge you all to remain focused to uplift the image of this Division and NA at large.

The Success of the division is not a one man show, it is a success for all of us including that of the Army.

“ In the same vain, failure by the formation, is failure on all of us and failure of the Army.

I am optimistic that you will give my successor, similar corporation and support, I enjoyed form you all.”

The new GOC, Maj. -Gen. Olu Irefin who was deployed from the Defence Headquarters Garrison where he was the Commander promised to improve on the successes of his predecessor.

Irefin said, “ I thank the COAS for the confidence he has in me to give me the command of this Division. It is indeed a challenge and I sincerely look forward to live up to the expectations required of me in this office.

“ I am quite aware that my predecessor has done a good job, I will continue with the good work and where possible improve on what he has done because that is the whole essence.”

Recall that the Army Headquarters had approved the redeployment of senior officers in the Army recently.