Officers and personnel of the Guards Brigade Nigerian Army on Wednesday celebrated their Commander, Maj.-Gen. Muhammed Usman, over his decoration with his new rank of Major General by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Usman is one of the 52 Brigadier Generals that were elevated to the rank of major general by the Army Council recently.
While 51 others were decorated with their new ranks on Dec. 23 by the military high command, the Commander Guards Brigade, was left to be decorated by the President being the Chief elite guard of the Commander-in-Chief.
The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Guards Brigade, Capt. Godfrey Abakpa, made this known in a statement in Abuja.
Abakpa said the Brigade Chief of Staff, Col. Oludele Oyegoke alongside Units Commanders and other Staff officers congratulated the Commander for his well deserved promotion and subsequent decoration.
According to him, the chief of staff said the promotion and decoration of the commander was evidence of his exceptional performance in leading the brigade in all its assigned responsibilities.
“The senior officers further appreciated the Commander whom they described as a hard worker, astute leader and administrator.
“The Spiritual leaders of the Brigade also seized the opportunity to pray for better and greater fortune upon the Commander and his family as he wears his new rank with more responsibility.”
Responding, the Commander, Maj.-Gen. Usman appreciated the officers and personnel of the grigade for their untiring efforts in securing the entire brigade’s Area of Responsibility.
Usman said the FCT and part of Niger, Nasarawa, Kogi and Kaduna States which formed part of the brigade’s area of responsibility had been well defended and secured.
He said that he would not have been promoted without the collective contribution of the various units and their personnel under the command whose individual effort made him successful.
The commander also expressed gratitude to the President for the opportunity given him to serve and the Chief of Army Staff for his guidance at all times and pledged to be more assured committed to his duties.
He urged all officers and men to continue to do their best as every effort count.
He also prayed for those expecting their promotion not to loose hope as it’s only God that gives.
High point of the celebration was the presentation and cutting of cake as well as group photograph. (NAN)
