The Armed Forces Officers Mess Asokoro, Abuja, the palatial enclave and Officers mess of the Nigerian military hosted the highest hierarchy of military officers, both serving and retired yesterday Tuesday 18 December 2023 when the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja played host to the 113 Retired/Retiring Nigerian Army Generals.
The occasion termed, Regimental Dinner Night in Honour of Retired/Retiring Nigerian Army Generals 2023, to honour and celebrate the gallantry and meritorious service of 113 retired Nigerian Army Generals which comprises 1 Full General, that is the former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (Retd) who served 30 years in the military, one lieutenant General, Lt General Faruk Yahaya, the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, 67 Major Generals, and 44 Brigadier Generals.
In his remarks during the event, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who was the Special Guest of Honour, commended the Army Headquarters for honoring its retired and retiring personnel for their meritorious services to the nation and the armed forces in particular.
He said their unwavering commitment to professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct has set the standard for the Nigerian Army inspiring generation coming after to do exploit. On a lighter note.
he announced that the political space was now open to the Army Generals who wished to join politics.
He encouraged them to take a break to reflect appropriately on what is next and strategies before making the next move, “avoid putting all your eggs in one basket, and at this initial stage remember that gratuity is paid only once”, he advised.
Abubakar urged them to be good ambassadors of the Nigerian army sell the army in a good light and be ready to continue to be useful to the nation.
He also urged them to continue to deploy their wealth of expertise and competencies in support of the service, adding that the army had opened platforms to engage retired officers willing to deliver their skills and competencies.
Giving his remarks at the event, the Chief host, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja noted that the ceremony is unique as it ushers the personnel to the Christmas and New Year Celebration. Lt General Lagbaja appreciated the spouses of the retired and retiring officers for the support and sacrifices they made while their husbands were serving the nation.
He praised all the 38 regular course members for their selfless service and congratulated them for attaining this milestone hale and hearty.
The Climax of the event is the recognition of the retired Generals and the retiring Generals who will be retiring before the end of this year, 2023. Lt General Lagbaja said the celebration is to thank all the retired and retiring Generals for the remarkable achievements they made while in active service to the nation through the Army.
In a vote of thanks, Major General Victor Okwudili Ezugwu (Retd) on behalf of the 131 retired and retiring Nigerian army Generals thanked the Chief of Army Staff for a first Class Regimental Dinner Night organized in their honour and for appreciating their sacrifices and service to the country through the Nigerian Army.
Dignitaries present at the Regimental Dinner Night in honour of Retired/Retiring Nigerian Army Generals 2023 were the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, former Defence Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (Retd), former Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Faruk Yahaya (Retd) and his wife, Chairman Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, former Senior Principal Staff Officers of the Nigerian Army, President NAOWA, Mrs. Mariya Lagbaja,
and NAOWA members, Spouses, families of retired and retiring Generals.
