The 51 senior commanders who received a recent promotion to the rank of Major General were honoured by the Nigerian Army on Friday.
52 Brigadier Generals in the Nigerian Army have just been promoted to Major General.
Seventy Colonels were also elevated to the rank of Brigadier General.
The newly promoted Brigadier Generals have now received decorations in their respective units, while one of the promoted Major Generals—who also serves as the Commander of the Guards Brigade—had already received decorations.
The Minister of Defense, retired Major General Bashir Magashi, addressed the top commanders and asked them to work more to earn the trust that had been placed in them.
The promotion, according to Magashi, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, is intended to increase their future commitment and consistency. He also noted that it is the result of a combination of their qualities and the sacrifices they must have made both individually and collectively.
He said that the promotion was a call to more sacrifice in carrying out their obligations under Nigeria's constitution.
He said: “Let me at this moment emphasise the need for you to support, sacrifice and of course steadfastness towards tackling the security challenges bedevilling our dear country, Nigeria.
“We must all come together to provide workable solutions, which you have always done to the prevailing security threats, particularly as the general elections draw near.
“I, therefore, enjoin you all to remain apolitical towards peaceful, free and fair elections come 2023.”
The Minister congratulated the promoted officers and urged those who did not get the promotion to continue to work hard with a positive attitude.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, said that promotion was a result of loyalty, dedication and commitment to service as well as integrity and hard work.
Yahaya said that those that were considered for the promotion were expected to enhance their professional competencies to support the system in addressing issues where they are deployed.
He said that a lot more was expected of them, expressing confidence in their abilities to make useful inputs that would move the Nigerian army forward.
He urged them to continue to put in their best towards addressing the nation’s challenges.
Speaking on behalf of the decorated officers, Major General Adeniyi Ayannuga, thanked the high command for considering them worthy of the promotion and pledged to justify the confidence reposed in them.