The Nigerian Army on Saturday officially retired 15 senior officers from the Artillery Corps in a ceremony held at the Nigerian Army School of Artillery (NASA) in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The event marked the end of military service for 11 Major-Generals and four Brigadier-Generals.
The retirement ceremony was led by retired Maj.-Gen. James Myam, who spoke on behalf of the outgoing officers. In his speech, Myam expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the nation and acknowledged the support of President Bola Tinubu and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja. Myam praised the leadership of the Army and thanked God for the “benevolent mercies, grace, and preservation” that guided them through their military careers.
Reflecting on their journey, Myam recalled their early days as Officer Cadets at the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna, and how they grew into the roles they were retiring from. He offered words of advice to serving officers, emphasizing the importance of loyalty, vigilance, and security awareness.
Myam shared three principles that guided him as an artillery officer: empathy, proactiveness, and effective communication. He also urged the younger generation of officers to remain committed to Nigeria’s democracy, stressing that military involvement in politics is a thing of the past.
He further encouraged the officers to remain loyal to the Constitution and the democratically-elected government, recognizing the government’s efforts to equip the Armed Forces while balancing other national priorities. Myam called for continued support of government initiatives and dedication to the nation’s security challenges, including the ongoing fight against armed and criminal non-state actors.
The retirees also took the opportunity to express their gratitude to their families, mentors, and the Nigerian Army, encouraging their fellow “Gunners” to continue striving for excellence.
The event was attended by several high-ranking officers, including former Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Alwali Kazir (retd.), as well as other senior military personnel.