The Army Chief, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has promoted Second Lieutenant Oluchukwu Owowoh to the rank of Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army.
This was announced by the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) on X.com on Wednesday.
The NDA’s statement on Wednesday partly read, “During the decoration ceremony held on June 26, 2024, at the NDA Officer’s Mess and Golf Club, Commandant Major General JO Ochai praised Lt. Owowoh’s outstanding performance as a cadet, leading to her becoming the first female Nigerian trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, as well as her recent promotion.”
“The event was attended by senior military officers, academic and non-academic staff, and family members, among others.”
Owowoh, 24, made history as the first Nigerian female officer to graduate from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the UK, joining prominent Nigerian leaders such as Yakubu Gowon and Emmanuel Undiandeye.
After her graduation, Owowoh returned to serve in the Nigerian military’s intelligence division.
Separately, ten officers of the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps (NAAC) were retired on Thursday after completing their mandatory service years.
The retirement ceremony was the highlight of events organized by NAAC Headquarters in Bauchi, including the commissioning of its new headquarters complex by Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja on Wednesday.
Those retired included six Major Generals: Maj Gen Nsor Okpa Ojiji (Reviewing Officer), Maj Gen MH Magaji, Maj Gen GB Audu, Maj Gen M Danmadami, Maj Gen JG Mohammed, and Maj Gen UI Moh’d.
Four Brigadier Generals were also retired: Brig Gen A Israel, Brig Gen BA Moh’d, Brig Gen D Abdulsalam, and Brig Gen SP Akpan.
Speaking after the Special Parade, Reviewing Officer Maj Gen Nsor Okpa Ofilii expressed gratitude to the Army for maintaining the tradition and urged its continuation.
Reflecting on the NAAC’s past challenges, he noted significant improvements in accommodation and facilities, commending the efforts of the commander, officers, soldiers, and their families.
Ofilii also acknowledged the COAS for consistently providing resources to support these improvements.
However, he disclosed ongoing challenges, particularly inadequate equipment.
He urged the NAAC commander to seek support from higher authorities, including the COAS, for continued equipment upgrades, especially armored fighting vehicles.
He also called on the Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, to prioritize equipment upgrades.
In his remarks, Armoured Corps Commandant, Major General Mohammed Ahmed, expressed mixed emotions about the retirement of senior officers.
He emphasized the Corps’ commitment to community service, including free medical services and water provision, and the high maintenance standards of the Corps’ equipment.
“I feel grateful, satisfied, and highly honored to have witnessed a day filled with mixed feelings and emotions of the pulling out of the retired senior officers.
“We are happy that we did what we are supposed to do. We carry out a lot of services to the community ranging from free medical services to the provision of pipe-borne water among others and if they tell us their problems, we promptly attend to those problems,” he said.
