Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS),in Abuja on Monday announced the promotion of 2,900 soldiers.
Ihejirika said at the decoration of 14 Colonels with their new ranks of Brigadier-Generals, that no fewer than 10,000 soldiers were recommended for promotion. He assured that the army would promote more soldiers before the end of February.
The COAS said that as soon as their documents were verified and the processes for promotion completed, they would be promoted.
According to him, promotion in the military does not come as a reward but a demonstration of confidence on the part of the leadership that those officers promoted still have much more to offer.
?“You have done well but you are being promoted because they think you have much more to offer the system and I believe you are going to put in your best and we are looking forward to seeing your best.
“Putting in your best is the only thing required to overcome the challenges confronting the nation and the army in particular.
“Let me once again congratulate those just promoted and to tell those who did not make it now that it is not the end of the road as they continue to work hard, promotion will come sooner or later,‘’ he said.
The Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, who spoke at the occasion said he was impressed with the performance of those promoted.
?He said the officers were not only well read, properly trained, but were also the pride to the continent of African.
?Maku urged the officers to bear in mind that every promotion was a call to higher service and a call to higher sacrifices for the country.
“I believe that this promotion is coming at a point where it is needed in the years ahead to stablise the internal security and defend the territorial integrity,‘’ Maku said.
Brig.-Gen. Nuhu Angbazo, who was among those decorated, told NAN that the promotion required the officers to work hard, to ensure that the vision of the Chief of Army Staff was realised within the President’s Transformation Agenda.
?In another development, Sen. George Sekibo, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence and Army, inaugurated the newly built Army Headquarters Officers’ Transit Camp at the Mogadishu Cantonment.
?Sekibo commended the army’s efforts at providing the requisite infrastructure and accommodation facilities for troops.
?He said that the provision of these facilities had brought about a remarkable performance of the troops.
“At this time when security challenges are high in the country, provision of accommodation will enable troops settle down and perform their duties.
?“We at the National Assembly will continue to support you to be a reputable army in West African sub-region,‘’ Sekibo said.
NAN reports that 22 flats of two bedrooms were inaugurated.
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