Glitz as Army pulls out 5 generals from service

In line with military tradition and practice, the Nigerian Army on Tuesday pulled out two Major Generals and three Brigadier Generals out of service after 35 years of meritorious service to their fatherland.

The officers; who retired between 2017 and 2018 included the former Corps Commander, Nigerian Army Medical Corps, who was also the 18th indigenous commander of the corps as well as being the 2nd female to command the corps, Maj Gen Abimbola Amusu, Maj Gen. Patrick Falola, Brig Gen. Folorunsho Jegede, Brig.-Gen. O. Akinyode and Brig Gen. M. Robbinson, who was absent at the ceremony.

All the officers were of the Nigerian Army Medical Corps and the event took place at the 68 Reference Hospital, Yaba, Lagos.

In her valedictory remarks, Gen Amusu attributed her success during her career which spanned between 1982 to 2017 to hard work, dedication, commitment to service and divine help.

She admonished serving military personnel especially the female to remain focused and resolute, while exhibiting total loyalty to constituted authorities.

“Sometimes in 1982, I joined some of my classmates to take part in a selection board which took place in Kaduna, few months later, the result was released and I started my career in the Nigerian Army. It was a very eventful 35 years.

“Your loyalty to the Federal Republic of Nigeria can best be given through vigilant security consciousness,” she reiterated.

The present Commandant, Maj Gen Okeke applauded the contributions of the officers to the Nigerian Army and the medical corps in particular.

He added that retiring after many years in services, gladdens one’s mind considering that one is going home without the dismemberment of the body.

Gen Okeke reiterated that he would continue to ensure that the tempo of discipline and military professionalism are not lowered in their quest to move the corps forward.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai, who was the Special Guest of Honour, was represented by the Corps Commander, Ordinance, Maj Gen. Joel Unuigbe.

The pulling out parade of the five generals was witnessed by top military officers, both serving and retired including the General Officer Commanding, (GOC), 81 Division, Maj Gen Musa Yusuf and other senior officers and family members of the retired officers.