The Exit and Deserving Promotion of Celebrated Military Officers
By MUKHTAR Ya’u Madobi
Last week was a bit busy for the management of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, with the retirement and promotion of some of its officers.
It first started with the Nigerian Army, where a total of 113 generals bowed out of the service. The retiring officers consist of one General, one Lieutenant General, 67 Major Generals, and 44 Brigadier Generals accordingly.
Over the years, Army personnel have paid their dues to Nigeria as a country by maintaining its territorial integrity and further securing it against both internal and external aggression.
They stood very firmly in upholding the principle of democracy since the end of the military era in 1999 by ensuring successive continuation of civilian government. As such, the federal government did not hesitate in praising floodgates of encomiums to these outgoing veterans.
At the Regimental Dinner Night organised in their honour in Abuja, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, hailed the support of the Nigerian Army towards the growth of democracy in the country.
Mr. Abubakar said this has made the army a shining example in the West African region and beyond, urging other services in the region to take a cue from the Nigerian Army.
A statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Major Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, the minister further urged the Army to continue to remain loyal to the constitution and support the development of democracy in the country and across the shores.
According to him, the disposition of the Armed Forces of Nigeria towards democracy had made it a shining example in West Africa and an influencer in the comity of nations.
In his part, the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly and defence minister for their untiring support to the Nigerian Army.
He reaffirmed the unalloyed loyalty of the Nigerian Army to the President and the nation in the discharge of its constitutional roles in defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
He advised the retired senior officers to appreciate God and the Nigerian Army for a successful sojourn in the ‘noble profession of arms’ and attaining the point of meritorious disengagement from active service.
However, the Nigerian Army hasn’t rested its oars in filling the vacuum left by these veteran soldiers through promotion of another 122 personnel to various ranks of generals.
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Because, the Army Council has on Thursday 21 December 2023, approved the promotion of senior officers to the next ranks of Major General and Brigadier General respectively. A total of 47 Brigadier Generals have been promoted to the rank of Major General, while 75 Colonels have also been elevated to the rank of Brigadier General accordingly.
The COAS Lagbaja congratulated the newly promoted senior officers and their families and equally charged them to redouble their efforts to justify their elevation and the confidence reposed in them.
In the same vein, the Nigerian Navy Board on the same day also approved the promotions of the Nigerian Navy Spokesperson, Commodore Ayo Vaughan and 57 other senior officers to various ranks in the Nigerian Navy.
It was learned that 28 Navy Captains were elevated to the rank of Commodore while 30 Commodores were promoted to the rank of Rear Admirals respectively.
The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla AM rejoiced with the newly promoted Senior Officers and their families and charge them to rededicate themselves to the service of fatherland.
Similarly, the Air Force Council (AFC) also approved the promotion of 37 senior officers to the next higher ranks in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF). It was disclosed that 22 were elevated to the rank of Air Vice Marshal, while 15 were upgraded to the rank of Air Commodore.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, also felicitated the newly promoted senior officers, while reminding them of the need for deep thinking and critical evaluation of current security environment with a view to proffering actionable strategies towards overcoming the problems it portends for our nation.
With regards to these newly promoted personnel, they should note that ‘To whom much is given, much is also expected.’ Therefore, they must work assiduously to justify this recognition by always going the extra mile in safeguarding the lives and properties of all Nigerians.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian military retirement process is a well-structured transition. Officers and soldiers serve until they reach the mandatory retirement age, typically 60 years. They must accumulate at least 35 years of service.
It is pertinent for the government to be very committed to continue to take good care of these veterans by improving their welfare service packages.
Upon retirement, military personnel should be provided with healthcare benefits, ensuring retirees have access to medical services.
Housing is another critical benefit. Retired military personnel often have access to affordable housing schemes. Education assistance is extended to their children, with tuition fees partially or fully covered, depending on rank and years of service.
It is only through this that their selfless services to the nation will continue to be appreciated.
MUKHTAR is the author of “National Security Strategies: A Young Writer’s Perspectives,” and is a staff writer with the Emergency Digest.
