The Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps (NAOC) on Friday 25, October formally pulled out five retired Mojor Generals from its Ordance Corps at the Pulling Out ceremony held at the Headquarters, Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, Abalti Barracks Surulere, Lago.

Major General Omotomilola Anthony Akintade, Major General Ayobami Samuel Ibikunle, Major General Martins Enendu, Major General Adeyemi Moruf Alabi and Major General Patrick Ikechukwu Eze were bided farewell after decades of meritorious service.

The event was attended by very senior retired Officers, serving Nigerian Army Officers, other sister military formations the Navy, Air Force, the Royal majesty, Oba lateef Atanda Adams, the Onikate of Ikate land and other important dignitaries.

The reviewing Officer leading other retired Generals was Major General Omotomilola Anthony Akintade who spoke on behalf of the retirees reflected on his group’s long military careers of over 34 years. He shared brief experiences when he and his colleagues resumed duties at the Ordance Corps, the structure of the buildings were in colonial shape, outdated, but within their serving years, they rebuilt and transformed NAOC structures magnificently. The retired officers expressed fulfillment and immense gratitude for having the chance to serve the country through the Nigerian Army.

His words reads” l reflect with great sense of nostalgia about 35 years ago when I reported to this very place as a young vibrant and enthusiastic officer graduated from the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), It was with pride and honour to have been posted here, the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps. I am confident to say that each of us being  Pulled Out today have benefited immensely from this honourable Corps which has held to nurture us from novices to true professionals and Outstanding leaders.

“We shall continue to uphold the Ordnance Corps virtue  of one big family. However, the journey is not smooth sailing through there are periods of pains, strength, weaknesses  peace. All It took were endurance,  encouragement, determination,  grace of God and prayer to be able to reach the pinnacle of our profession.

Notably a remarkable day of grave emotions sentiments, nostalgic memories genuine thankfulness,  boundless joy and sense of unwavering commitment, we are bowing out of service at a critical moment when our beloved country is going crises in most parts of the country. Nigeria Armed Forces are deployed to carry out internal security duties”.

Further speaking, Mr Akintade admonished serving military personnel to remain loyal to the federal government and be more committed to the discharge of their duties in combating insecurity in the country.
He said” I admonish all serving personnel to be loyal, dedicated and highly professional in the execution of your duties. I urge you to aviod actions that will bring the name of the NAOC and Nigerian Army to disrepute. The oath of Allegiance we all swore on commission which characterize our noble profession to be loyal to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and protect her territory from external aggression.

“You must continue to demonstrate a total commitment to your duty to the nation without any form of bias or involvement in partisan politics.”

The retiring Officers expressed gratitude to their families for their unwavering love and support throughout their years of service,  he referred to their wives as ” Silent Heroes” for their amazing sacrifices.

He also thanked the present Commander Nigerian Army Ordinance Corps Major General J O Ugwuoke for organising such an amazing  pull out ceremony for them and also giving him the opportunity to review the parade.
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The ceremony was also held in honour of the” Fallen Heroes” those who lost their lives in line of duty with prayers for the departed souls to Rest in Peace.

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