By LEONARD OKACHIE

Brig.-Gen. Olusola Diya has assumed office as the Commander of the Headquarters 14 Brigade Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Abia.

Diya took over from Brig.-Gen. Nsikak Edet, who is proceeding to the Nigerian Army Headquarters, Abuja.

Until his appointment, Diya was the Director, Training at the Department of Training, Nigerian Army Headquarters, Abuja.

Interacting with journalists shortly after the taking over ceremony on Monday, the new commander promised to improve on the achievements of his predecessor.

He charged the soldiers to key into the command’s philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

According to him, the COAS philosophy is to have trained, equipped and highly-motivated soldiers, who are ready to discharge their duties with enthusiasm and dedication to the nation.

He said that the command under his watch would have a pool of security agencies to work in synergy “because without information and intelligence, there is nothing or little I can do”.

Diya said, “I will indulge the community, the people of Abia to please co-operate with the military and other security agencies to work together as a family.

“It is to ensure that we get rid of all the criminal activities in Abia.

“At the end of the day, Abia will be a model state for other states to emulate.”

Earlier in a farewell address, Edet thanked the soldiers for their co-operation and diligence to duty and enjoined them to extend same to his successor.

“You will agree with me that since I took over as the Brigade Commander about six months ago, there have been remarkable changes in terms of your welfare and other areas.

“I want to thank you for the period and keep on being disciplined, focused and do your job to the best of your ability,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highpoints of the ceremony were the inspection of quarter guard cum handing over of the commander’s flag, amongst others. (NAN)

•FILE PHOTO: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni decorating Brigadier General Olusola Oyelola Diya on his new rank, supported by his mother, Mrs. Josephine Diya during the decoration ceremony in Ship House, Abuja.

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