New GOC Charges Troops On Hardwork, Sacrifice

The newly posted General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, Maj.-Gen. Umar Musa, has taken over the Command with a call on troops to redouble their efforts for more hard work and sacrifice.
Taking over from the out-gone GOC of the Division, Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, on Friday in Enugu, Musa assured that he would continue with the success strides of his predecessor.
He further promised to build on the success trajectory already established by Maj.-Gen. Lagbaja, who is now the GOC of 1 Division, Kaduna.
“I appreciate the out-gone GOC, Maj.- Gen. Lagbaja, for the innovations and successes he recorded while serving as the GOC.
“We will restrategise and beef up security and increase the tempo so that we can surpass what Lagbaja had achieved here.
“I will work with the commanders and seek their cooperation to see that all security threats are surmounted in the Division’s Area of Responsibility (AOR)”, he started.
Musa used the occasion to thank the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.- Gen. Faruk Yahaya, for the confidence reposed on him to be redeployed as the GOC of 82 Division after serving as the GOC of 81 Division, Lagos.
While  thanking the troops for their sacrifice and dedication, the GOC said: “but, I must say that we have more work to do to stabilise the security of the Division’s AOR and deal with criminal elements”.
Earlier, Lagbaja commended the principal officers, Commanders, senior officers, officers and soldiers of the Division for their unflinching support during his 17 months sojourn as the GOC of the Division.
He said the troops of the Division had been exemplary and professional in dealing with issues of unknown gunmen, criminal elements and secessionist groups within the Division’s AOR.
“ must laud your gallantry and commitment to ensure that the South-East and other parts of the Division’s AOR remained secured”, he stated.
He, however, charged them to extend the same cooperation and hard work to the new GOC for him to succeed as well.
Maj-Gen Lagbaja went further to thank friends of the Division and the media for their goodwill and support to the Division while he served as GOC.
Highlights of the event include decoration of the new GOC with the Division’s signal, handing over of the Division’s flag to the new GOC and a group photograph.

By: Canice Amadi, Enugu