Major General Obinna Onubogu has assumed command as the 46th General Officer Commanding, GOC, 2 Division Nigerian Army.
Major General Onubogu assumed command following a handing-over ceremony at the Division’s Headquarters, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Ibadan.
The new GOC, who took over the command from his predecessor, Major General Bamidele Alabi, expressed gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taureed Lagbaja for entrusting him with the stewardship of commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army.
Major General Onubogu noted that the new phase of his career would be for him, another opportunity to defend the values, interests and territory of Nigeria under the nation’s constitution and directive of the Chief of Army staff.
Major General Onubogu said the Division would do all that was required to sustain the commendable efforts of his predecessor to adequately protect and secure its Area of Responsibility.
The New GOC also urged commanders and staff officers of 2 Division to remain focused and committed to the act of defending the nation against external aggressions and other security challenges.
He stressed the imperative to improve operations, sustain capabilities, training, administration and troops welfare. General Onubogu also promised to continue to support the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies to ensure a more secure environment.
The Nigerian Army says it remains committed, proactive in responding to security challenges and dealing with threats to peace and security of the country.
The General Officer commanding, GOC, 2 division Nigerian Army, Major General Bamidele Alabi stated this during the celebration of West Africa Social Activities, WASA, 2023 at the Major General JM Inienger Sport Complex, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Oojo Ibadan.
Major General Alabi assured the general public of a continuous professionalism in the discharge of their duties in cooperation with other security agencies, especially within 2 Division area of responsibility.
The GOC also promised to remain resolute and highly committed towards achieving the Command Philosophy with emphasis on sound administration, effective leadership and operational effectiveness.
Speaking at the event, Major General Alabi said WASA celebration was inherited from the colonial era after World War II and has been entrenched as a major social event that is held annually by the Nigerian Army
The GOC stated further that the event afforded soldiers and their families to interact with their host communities as a way of marking the end of the year’s activities.
“WASA provides an opportunity for the personnel to celebrate their culture heritage in a conducive atmosphere and to foster espirit de corps. “
“The Chief of Army Army staff, COAS in an effort to convey his philosophy which is “To Transform the NA into a Well-Trained, Equipped and Highly Motivated Force towards Achieving our Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint Environment.” to troops of the NA has continued to promote the sustenance of WASA as an annual event.”
“The various formations and units of 2 Division within Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment are today prepared to treat our guests to exotic cultural dances, displays and exquisite cuisines. “
Major General Alabi, therefore, commended the troops of 2 Division Nigerian Army for all their efforts at sustaining peace and security within the Division’s Area of Responsibility.
“The troops of the Division also successfully participated in all the Nigerian Army activities for Year 2023 and contributed immensely to all ongoing operations towards ensuring peace and security in our dear country. especially in the Northeast, Northwest and North Central theatres, as well as missions outside the country.”
He, thereby, urged all the troops of 2 Division to continue to be hardworking, maintain high standard of discipline and remain loyal to the President and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I want to also use this opportunity to appreciate the members of the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA), Nigerian Army Soldiers Wives Association (NASWA) and our entire families for their support to the Division’s activities and taking out time to come and celebrate at the WASA 2023.”
“Let me finally express my gratitude to the COAS for providing the resources for the Division to host this very significant event.. We are also grateful to our SGOH, the Executive Governor of Oyo State for all his support to 2 Division and Nigerian Army.’
Declaring the event open, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state appreciated the Nigerian Army’s commitment at ensuring peace and security in the State.
Governor Makinde who spoke through the Senior Adviser to the governor on security matter, Mr Fatai Owoseni said his administration would not relent in supporting the military to ensure that Oyo state was relatively calm and void of criminalities.
Highlights of the event included award presentations to some distinguished Officers and men, cultural dance competition and Tug of war among units and formations of the 2 division.
A new general officer commanding, GOC, Major General Aminu Chinade has assumed office at the 2 division, Nigerian Army Ibadan.
The new GOC was deployed from the Nigerian Army Depot, Zaria, Kaduna state.
Major General Chinade pledged to work with officers and men of the Division to ensure and maintain a safe environment.
The outgoing GOC, Major General Gold Chibuisi who joined 2 Division in March last year has been redeployed as director to Chief of Army Staff, Abuja.
In his farewell message, the outgoing GOC, who appreciated the officer and men of the Division noted that he had a fruitful working period with them.
He called on them not to relent in protecting the image of the Nigerian Army at all costs.
Major General Chibuisi called on the officers to extend the arm of good conduct and professionalism to the new GOC to collectively rebirth a new Nigeria.
The President of Nigerian Army Officer’s Wives Association, NAOWA, Mrs. Salamotu Farouk-Yahaya has urged officers’ wives to take advantage of the newly-built skill acquisition centre to empower themselves towards becoming self-reliant and productive.
Mrs. Farouk-Yahaya stated this while commissioning a skills acquisition centre built by NAOWA at 2 Division Nigerian Army, Ibadan.
She noted that her vision of sustaining legacies and upholding the tenets of unity and service placed premium attention among other things and would go a long way in assisting the Nigerian Army.
Mrs. Farouk Yahaya assured that the association would not relent in providing a peaceful and supportive atmosphere for families in the barracks while the officers engaged in the military duties.
Contributing, the wife of General officer commanding, GOC, 2 Division Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General Gold Chibuisi, Joy Chibuisi said the newly-built skills acquisition centre was designed to assist the families of officers and soldiers, particularly widows, children and youths.
She said the idea was aimed at developing and harnessing the skill of women and widows of falling heroes to enable them to become self-reliant having leverage in the larger communities in Nigeria and beyond.
The NAOWA Chairperson of 2 Division, Nigerian Army, also gifted some widows of fallen officers foodstuffs and other household items to better their lives.
In his address of welcome, GOC 2 Division, Major General Gold Chibuisi pledged his continuous support to NAOWA in order for the association to achieve its vision and mission which was to maintain and sustain peaceful homes for officers and men.
Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya says the military is working towards a professional Nigerian Army that will accomplish its mission of defending the country.
Lieutenant General Yahaya stated this at the 2021 Army Headquarters 4th quarter Seminar, held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.
Lieutenant General Yahaya who spoke through Chief of Administration Army, Major General Usman Muhammed, said the workshop was aimed at providing a forum for officers to tap from the wealth of experience of veterans in support of operations aimed at ensuring national security.
He noted that through the combined efforts of veterans, servicemen and the civil populace, the army can overcome the temporal security challenges in the country.
Lieutenant General Yahaya, therefore, enjoined the participants to use the opportunity to rekindle their efforts at making use of the experiences acquired over the years.
General Officer Commanding, GOC, 2 Division Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General Gold Ndubuisi said the participants were drawn from the southwest of the country in other to tap from their wealth of experiences at tackling insecurity bedevilling the nation.
He noted that the workshop was designed to gather support from the veterans in addition to engendering national cohesion in the communities across the country.
Major General Ndubuisi stated further that the workshop became imperative as a follow-up on the issues raised in the 2nd quarter edition of the veterans’ seminar on national security challenges.
Declaring the 5-day workshop open, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State said, the skill of the retired military officers needed to be harnessed to further enhance a solid and secured nation.
Governor Makinde represented by the Chief of Staff, Mr. Segun Ogunwuyi noted that the workshop was apt at the moment, considering the diversity of security challenges facing the country.
The 5-day workshop with the theme “Harnessing Nigerian Army Veterans’ Influence to Enhance National Security and Cohesion” also had in attendance representatives of other security agencies.
The chairman, Senate Committee on oversight to Nigerian Army formations and units, Senator Ali Ndume says the military needs the federal government’s assistance to perform optimally at the war front.
Senator Ndume stated this when the committee visited the 2 Division Nigerian Army, Ibadan for oversight on how the army could be better financially and operationally.
He noted that it is imperative for the Nigerian Army to use allocated money in the 2022 budget appropriately.
Senator Ndume who went round the Odogbo Barracks with the committee members noted that there were dilapidated accommodations and other facilities that needed rehabilitation.
The host, General Officer Commanding, GOC, Major General Gold Ndubuisi appealed to the committee to be truthful in their observations to help the Army in procuring the needed equipment and platforms to prosecute the war against terrorism and other criminalities across the country.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor says the military will make use of retired soldiers experiences in tackling the insecurity confronting the country.
General Irabor stated this in Ibadan at a day seminar with retired senior military officers in the Southwest Zone held at 2 Division Nigerian Army, Odogbo Barracks, Ojoo, Ibadan, Oyo State.
General Lucky Irabo said with the various security issues disrupting the peaceful atmosphere of the country, the military had resulted in tapping from the wealth of experience of the retired soldiers.
He noted that with the sense of patriotism and zeal of the retired soldiers which paved the way to unity, faith, peace, and progress during their time,would go a long way at tackling the issue of insecurity in the country.
General Irabor stated further that the seminar became imperative for the ex-service men and officers still in service to rub minds together and equally decide on what needed to be done in the hope of improving the state of peace across the country.
The Chief of Defence Staff, the staff, therefore denied the allegations moving round that the military were pallying with the bandits for a selfish gains.
He called on patriotic Nigerians to stay firm adding that the military was working tirelessly to ensure that the issue of insecurity became a thing of the past.
On his part, Chief of Defence Civil military corporation, real admiral Frederick Ogu was optimistic that the result of the workshop would be a rewarding experience in solving the issue of insecurity, hence the need for all the participants to put in their best during the interactive.
In his welcome of address, the host and the general officer commanding, GOC, Major General Gold Chibuisi appreciated the military headquarters, Abuja for bringing the program to 2 Division, Odogbo Barracks.
Major General Chibuisi said this gesture would bring out positive result as the issue of insecurity was worrisome and needed a salient solution.
The Nigeria Army wants the collaboration of the Ogun State government towards improving the security architecture of the state.
General Officer Commanding, GOC, 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Godwin Umelo who made the call in Abeokuta during a courtesy visit to Governor Dapo Abiodun said he was in the state for a tour of Army formations under his command.
Major General Umelo who maintained that all hands must be on deck to secure the society also encouraged people of the State to enlist in the military.
Responding, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun commended officers and men of the Nigerian Army for their efforts towards preserving the Country’s corporate existence and supporting other law enforcement agencies to maintain peace in the State.
The Governor promised to create more awareness on the opportunities and motivate the people of the state to enlist in the Army.
Nigerian
Army has reaffirmed its commitment at ensuring a secured atmosphere for the
citizens.
General officer Commanding, GOC, 2 Division Nigerian Army, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Odogbo Barracks, Ibadan, Major General Anthony Onozojie stated this while declaring open the 2019 Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship.
He noted
that the command has embarked on different programmes that would facilitates
effective policing at combating security challenges facing the country.
While
declaring the championship open, General Onozojie said training and retraining
of soldiers would enable them to effectively discharge their duties to ensure a
secured Nation.
General
Onozojie stated further the championship which was a biennial programme was
aimed at testing the participants’ level of weapon handling, marksmanship and
battle preparedness towards challenges which might cause unrest in the country.
Earlier,
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, who appreciated the Nigerian Army for
securing the state against robbery, kidnapping, armed bandits and terrorism,
pledged his administration’s support to maintain and sustain the effective
policing enjoyed by the people of Oyo state through the Army and other security
agencies.
Gov. Makinde trying his hand at marksmanship competition
The ten
competing formations promised to follow all the rules and regulations binding
the championship and use the training judiciously at the war front.
The
5-day championship will include pistol competition, falling plates, person
weapon practices and marksmanship completion.
Highlights of the programme included presentation of award to commissioner of Police, Mr. Shina Olukolu and other heads of all security agencies in Oyo state.
