Maj.-Gen. Valentine Okoro on Thursday in Ibadan assumed duty as the 44th General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 2 Division of Nigerian Army.
Lt.-Col. Charles Ekeocha, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, disclosed this in a statement.
Okoro, according to Ekeocha, expressed appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, for finding him worthy to command the division.
“The new GOC then promised to work assiduously to justify the confidence reposed in him,” he said.
Ekeocha added that Okoro promised to propel the division to greater heights.
“He solicited the support of stakeholders and other security agencies in accomplishing the mandate of the COAS in ensuring a safe and secure environment for law-abiding citizens in the division’s area of responsibility.”
The new GOC, according to the statement, urged the troops under his command to brace up for relentless offensives against criminals in areas under the command.
“He expressed confidence in their ability to rid the South-West of violence and criminality.
“He also commended his predecessor, Maj.-Gen. Muhammed Usman, for the successes recorded in the division.”
In his farewell remarks, Usman thanked the troops for their support throughout his stay in the Division and solicited the same level of support for his successor.
“He (Usman) described Okoro as his course mate and friend and admonished the troops not to relent in providing the enabling environment for law-abiding citizens to do their businesses.
“He assured the troops that the new GOC would build on his legacies, thanking the COAS for believing in him once more and giving him the opportunity to command the 81 Division,” Ekeocha said.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria