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……. As GOC 7 Div hosts 8 Retired Officers to Dinner Night in Borno

By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri

The Chief of Army Staff, CoAS, Lt Gen Farouk Yahaya has reiterated that there is an ongoing process to re-engage the most qualified and competent discharged/retired military personnel to complement the efforts of troops to restore peace in the North East and country in general.

He however urged all retired military personnel not to rest on their oars, but to continue support directly or indirectly on the ongoing fight against Boko Haram, banditry and other criminalities bedevilling the Nation.

Yahaya stated this yesterday at the Send Forth/Dinner Night hosted by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Major General Waidi Shaibu in honour of eight (8) discharged Nigerian Army (NA) Officers within 7 Division Area of Responsibility.

The occasion which took place at Maimalari Cantonment Officers’ Mess, attracted the presence of Major General Bulama Biu (rtd) who is the Special Guest of Honour, military and paramilitary officers, traditional rulers, Civil Society Organisations, the Media and other stakeholders.

Represented by the Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force North East ‘Operation HADIN KAI’, Maj Gen Christopher Musa, enjoined the eight (8) discharged Officers to take advantage of the various welfare scheme initiated by the CoAS. 

The discharged Officers are; Col. Yakubu Hassan, Col Mohammed Akilu, Lt. Col. EA Nwachukwu, Lt. Col. A Bello, Major Joseph Danladi, Capt. Ubang Usoro, Capt. OA Akunyeme and Lt. Daniel Rumu, all retired.

Just last week, a similar event was hosted by the GOC at Command Guests House, Maimalari Military Cantonment in Maiduguri in honour of 24 discharged soldiers.

His words: ” I want to use this opportunity to congratulate you on your successful retirement from active service.

I acknowledged your sacrifices and resilience in the course of defending our fatherland, especially in the fight against terrorism in the North East Area of Responsibility (NEAR).

“I reiterate that there is an ongoing process to re-engage some of you, (discharged/retired military personnel) who are qualified to complement efforts of troops restore peace in the North East and country in general.

“Therefore, I urge all retired military personnel across the country not to rest on their oars, but to continue support directly or indirectly on the ongoing fight against Boko Haram, banditry and other criminalities bedevilling the Nation.

” I enjoined you to take advantage of the various welfare scheme open to all retired military personnel”. General Yahaya stated.

The Special Guest of Honour, Major General Bulama Biu (rtd), charged the retirees to shun all attitudes that will jeopardize the integrity of the Nigerian Army while mingling with their host communities.

Major General Biu, who had served as the GOC 7 Div up to 2020 said, it is a great honour and privilege to see his friends and fighters who were all on the battlefield together up to 2020 before he left the theatre.

“I am glad to celebrate together with these gallant troops who have retired from active service but are not tired.

“They have contributed immeasurably towards the restoration of peace in the country, and the northeast in particular.

” I commend CoAS for ensuring proper welfare of staff, especially the retired ones, for which I was also a beneficiary”. Gen Biu said.

He, therefore, expressed optimism in the ability of the discharged personnel to easily integrate into the larger society and has gone through the rudiments of discipline, courage, value and perseverance while in active service. He also urged them to remain, good ambassadors of the NA, while pursuing their dreams.

Earlier in his welcome address, the GOC, 7 Div, General Shaibu said, every military man who has dedicated their life to serving their fatherland deserves appreciation.

To this end, he said, the celebration and hosting of the retired officers and men was a brainchild of COAS’s philosophy of professionalism that is geared towards the protection and defence of the integrity of the nation.

The GOC prayed to those who have paid the supreme price, for God to grant their souls eternal rest and comfort their families. 

“We celebrated with you wholeheartedly, we will continue the giant strides you have left behind to ensure total restoration in the northeast”. Said General Shaibu.

In a vote of thanks on behalf of the retirees, Col Yakubu Hassan (Rated) expressed their unalloyed support to the Nigerian Army and wished all a safe journey back to their various destinations.

Highlights of the hitch-free event were the presentation of plaques to the discharged soldiers, regaling session of comic display and cultural dance by the Borno State Art and Culture, and group photographs.