The former Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu has attributed successes recorded so far in the fight against Insurgency in the North East to doggedness, hard work and determination of troops.
Ezugwu further urged troops to increase momentum in the campaign to flush out the remnants of Boko Haram terrorists in the region.
The former Acting GOC made this remarks in his farewell address to Officers and Soldiers held at the Marmalari barracks Headquarters of the 7 Division of the Nigerian army in Maiduguri, Borno State.
He commended troops for the support and loyalty accorded him throughout his tenure as the Acting GOC of 7 Division.
The GOC went on “Successes recorded so far is as a result of collective efforts of all of you here. I cannot take this glory alone because I could not have achieved anything without your support and encouragement.”
“We cannot forget the efforts of our past GOCs who laboured to build this Division before my assumption of duty as the 6th GOC”.
The GOC also used the opportunity to pay glowing tributes to the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai for keying into the change mantra of the Federal Government by bringing a lot of changes into the Nigerian Army.
He thanked Buratai for providing necessary support needed to execute the war in the insurgent war in the North East.
“Let us thank God for giving us Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai as the Chief. He provided us with all we needed to fight this war. He practically took it upon himself to plan the war strategies and we all can see the results of such efforts”.
General Ezugwu described the new GOC 7 division as a hardworking and gallant senior Officer who knows the terrain very well having served as Brigade Commander in the Theatre before now.
He then urged troops to extend the same support he enjoyed to the new GOC Brigadier General Ibrahim Yusuf
Earlier the GOC had in his farewell schedule also paid a visit to the Shehu of Borno Alhaji Abubakar Garbai Elkanemi who is also the Chairman of the traditional council to intimate him of his exit.
The Shehu while receiving the GOC in his Palace in Maiduguri described Security as a paramount tool for national development and economic growth of any nation.
Alhaji Garbai expressed satisfaction over the leadership qualities of the former GOC whom he said contributed to the peace being enjoyed presently in the North East.
He stated that, “security is paramount and without it, nothing meaningful can be achieved in the country”.
The monarch thanked general Ezugwu for providing adequate security to lives and properties in Borno state and its environs.
In his remarks, Ezugwu said he was in the Palace to officially inform the royal father of his redeployment to the Depot, Nigerian Army as the Commandant thanked the Shehu for his support and that of good people of Borno State during his 18 months sojourn as the Acting GOC.