By Philip Nwosu

Ten officers of the Nigerian Army attached to the 81 Division in Lagos have been elevated from the ranks of Colonel to Brigadier General (one star general) and Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel.
Four officers moved from Colonels to Brigadier Generals while six moved from Lieutenant Colonels to Colonels.
The General Officer Commanding 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Ebenezar Oyefolu told the newly promoted officers to work hard to assist in achieving the mission of the force in building a professionally responsive army.
General Oyefolu, who spoke while decorating the officers of the force advised them to continue to pray and work hard.
He reminded them that promotion comes with added responsibilities, noting, “to whom much is given, much is expected’’.
He enjoined the newly promoted officers to see the promotion as a call for more critical roles.
“Promotion comes from God alone; so, I want to urge the newly promoted officers to continue to work and pray harder and not be found wanting,” he said.
Among the officers promoted to the rank of Brigadier General were Brigadier General John Agim who is at present, the Commandant of Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information (NASPRI) and Colonel Julius Ogbobe, the Land Component Commander of Operations, Awatse, the task force fighting pipeline vandals in Arepo and Ishawo area of Ogun State.
The GOC urged the newly promoted officers to remain loyal to the country and the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said they should work harder to maintain the loyalty of their troops by addressing their welfare needs and those of their families.
The spokesman of the Nigeria Army, Brigadier General Sani Usman, who was also among the promoted officers had earlier been decorated with his new rank of Brigadier-General by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai in Abuja.
Similarly, the Directors of Catholic and Protestant Chaplaincy of the force, Brigadier Generals Charles Iroegbu and Dawuk Danfulani were also decorated with their new ranks by General Buratai.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information (NSPRI) has graduated 75 officers in Public Relations and Media Operations Courses.
Fifty soldiers graduated in photography and journalism practice, 16 officers in Advance Public Relations and nine officers in media operations.
The Commandant, Brig-Gen. John Agim, noted that the course was meant to stimulate the officers and soldiers so that when they have the opportunity to advise their commanders, they would do that from the perspective of informed knowledge.
He expressed satisfaction with the level of academic prowess displayed by the students and noted that the school would continue to work assiduously to maintain the high standards it is known for.
On the performances of the students, the Commandant said: “They did very well. We have a standard, any student who performs below certain grade will not graduate. And I am happy with the standard the students displayed.
“I hope when they go back to their various units, they will put what they learnt into effective use” he said.