The Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, has hailed the support of the Nigerian Army in the growth of democracy in the country.
A statement issued on Wednesday by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said the minister spoke at the Regimental Dinner Night organised in honour of newly retired and retiring Nigerian Army senior officers in Abuja.
Badaru described the Nigerian Army as a shining example in the West African region and beyond and urged other services in the country to take a cue from the organization.
According to the statement, “A total of 113 Nigerian Army Generals on Tuesday bowed out of the service.”
Those retired included one General, one Lieutenant General, 67 Major Generals, and 44 Brigadier Generals.
The minister, according to the statement, enjoined the Army to continue to remain loyal to the Constitution and support the development of democracy in the country.
The statement added that the minister noted that the disposition of the Armed Forces towards democracy had made it a shining example in West Africa and an influencer in the comity of nations.
Badaru added that the Federal Government would continue to do all within its powers to improve the well-being of serving and retired personnel of the Nigerian Army.
The minister also hailed retired and retiring officers of the Nigerian Army for their sacrifices and unwavering commitment to the nation’s stability, while assuring for prompt payment of their pensions and other benefits.
Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, appreciated President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly and the defence minister for their untiring support to the Nigerian Army.
He also reaffirmed the unalloyed loyalty of the Nigerian Army to the President and the nation in the discharge of its constitutional roles in defending the country’s territorial integrity.
Defence Minister hails Nigerian Army’s support for democracy as 113 General retire