The Nigerian Army has held a valedictory dinner in honour of 52 generals, comprising 23 major generals and 29 brigadier-generals who have retired and will be retiring before the end of the year.

The one-star and two-star generals were presented with their records of service certificates by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Farouk Yahaya.

Mr Yahaya said the event was designed to honour and appreciate the officers for their services to the army and the nation.

He said there was a need to celebrate and be grateful to God for reaching the peak of their careers, adding that many of their colleagues who joined the service with them had died.

“It is, therefore, my honour and privilege to most sincerely appreciate you all for your sacrifices and meritorious services to the nation, and this gesture will in future be replicated at divisional and brigade levels for our retiring officers of the rank of colonel and below,” stated the army chief.

“It will also be designed for our soldiers, and in the end, this culture of appreciating and honoring our personnel on exit from loyal and meritorious service to their fatherland will be entrenched and institutionalised as being witnessed today.”

The COAS said the nation’s worsening insecurity required all hands to be on deck toward arresting the situation.

He said the high command of the Nigerian Army would continue to consult the retired generals and tap from their wealth of experience.

(NAN)