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Army Honours 23 Retired Finance Corps Generals with Colourful Pull Out Ceremony
The Nigerian Army Finance Corps has honoured 23 of its most deserving retired Generals with a pulling-out ceremony at the Bonny Cantonment Parade Ground as part of activities to mark a successful tour of duty.
Speaking at the occasion, the Chief of Budget and Account, Army, Major General Adetokunbo Fayemiwo, said the retired Generals, who were pulled out were among the most deserving retired senior officers of the Finance Corps, who laid the foundation of the present successes of the Corps. He noted that even in retirement the retired generals have continued to offer their wealth of knowledge and expertise in support of the corps and mentoring the upcoming officers towards a successful career.
In his valecdictory speech, the Special Guest of Honour, Major General Charles Airhiavbere (retd), who is also a valedictorian, stated that the pulling out ceremony signifies the end of his military career after 35 years in active service. He said he was grateful to the Almighty God for his grace, mercies, guidance, wisdom and protection through out his service years.
“I count myself fortunate to witness this event in such a lively and energetic environment,” he added.
The General disclosed that he and his retired colleagues were exiting the Service at a time when the nation was inundated by diverse security challenges. He noted that these challenges have necessitated several operational adjustments by the NA to effectively tackle and overcome the menace.
Accordingly, he charged all Finance Corps personnel to be more innovative, proactive and result oriented in the discharge of their primary responsibility to the NA in a joint environment.
The past Corps Commanders and retired generals honoured include Major Generals JO Lartey, BVT Kwaji, DA Bako, CE Airhiavbere, CU Agulanna and MK Yunusa.
Others are Brigadier Generals SU Umusu, MA Nyiam, JA Adejoh, BB Adewinmbi, FA Mohammed, CU Akagu, JO Ozigi, MK Joktara, OP Sintali, YB Yakubu, JS Sura, AA Adekoya, IZ Ohiaka, JA Faransi and YK Musa.
Special guests who graced the occasion included the President of Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA), Mrs. Salamatu Yahaya, General Officer Commanding, 81 Division, Major General Obinna Ajunwa, Former Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade (retd), Former Director, Army Public Relations, Major General CO Onwuamaegbu (retd) and Former Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Usman Kukasheka (retd) and several other friends and family members.
The high point of the occasion was the traditional pulling out of the retired generals in a motorcade from the cantonment to the civil society.
The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has argued that there is nothing wrong if Nigeria evolves into a one-party state, provided it reflects the will of the people.
Speaking to State House correspondents on Friday after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Ganduje dismissed concerns raised by opposition leaders over the country’s political direction.
He insisted that the growing dominance of the APC is a reflection of public trust in the party’s governance.
“If one-party state is a wish and blessing to Nigeria; One-party state is not by force; it is by negotiation,” Ganduje said.
“If other political parties see the effect of the positive governance of our party and decide to come to our party willingly, I think there is nothing wrong with that.”
Citing China as an example of a successful one-party system, Ganduje stated that the APC is not actively working to eliminate opposition, but that defections and realignments are part of democratic processes.
“Too many political parties spoil governance,” he added.
Ganduje led three senators from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), reportedly from Kebbi State, to meet with President Tinubu, announcing their intention to join the APC.
According to him, their defection is the result of extensive negotiations among stakeholders in the state and is part of APC’s broader strategy to strengthen its base.
“This is a good development and in consonance with what is happening in Nigeria today. Almost every week in the Senate and House of Representatives, you see members of other political parties decamping to our party,” he said.
Ganduje assured that the APC is prepared to smoothly integrate the new members, maintaining that the party’s strategy to expand both its numbers and the quality of its membership is aligned with democratic principles.
The Senator representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has distanced herself from a viral TikTok video that surfaced online showing her dancing to “Omo Ologo”, a song in praise of President Bola Tinubu.
In a public disclaimer released via her verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Akpoti-Uduaghan denied owning any TikTok account, warning the public against being misled by parody accounts across various social media platforms.
“I do not own a TikTok account,” she posted.
“Many parody accounts exist in my name on X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Some have garnered large followings.”
She clarified that the circulating video was manipulated from an old 2023 clip and repurposed with “mischievous intent” to mislead the public.
“While I hold the President in utmost respect, I’d urge everyone to disregard the mischievous post made using an old 2023 video of mine,” she stated.
The video, sound-tracked by “Omo Ologo”, a praise song performed by Dauda Kahutu Rarara at a recent event attended by Tinubu in Katsina, appeared to depict the senator aligning herself with the president’s camp.
President Bola Tinubu has issued a passionate call for unity, resilience, and renewed patriotism, urging Nigerians to stand firm behind ongoing reforms aimed at rebuilding the country’s economic foundation.
Speaking during a grand reception in Awka, Anambra State, on the occasion of his state visit, President Tinubu acknowledged the current challenges facing the nation but assured the people that the hard choices were necessary for lasting prosperity.
“We continue to plead with Nigerians for their patience and understanding,” Tinubu appealed.
“We call on all patriots and progressives to rise and continue to work hard every day for the greatness of our dear country. We have no other country but Nigeria. We must make it great as the pride of the black race.”
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive development, citing progress made in economic reform, infrastructure investment, and improved public finance management.
“We met near-insolvent public finance… unsustainable multiple subsidies… a chaotic and debilitating forex regime. These monsters have been tackled,” he said.
Highlighting renewed investor confidence and growth in agriculture, manufacturing, and technology, Tinubu said the “Renewed Hope Agenda” was already yielding visible results.
He particularly commended Anambra for leading in innovation and development, referencing the commissioning of the Solution Fun City and Government House Mini-City as signs of progress.
Describing Governor Chukwuma Soludo as “a brilliant man” and “a thinker who knows the way,” Tinubu added: “We are working together for a better Anambra and Nigeria.”
The president also praised Anambra State for fully implementing and even surpassing the new national minimum wage, calling it “a signal of true leadership and compassion for the working class.”
Asserting the federal government’s commitment to equitable development, Tinubu promised increased investment in roads, power, rail, and digital infrastructure across all regions, including the Southeast.
