Army Spokesman, Sani Usman Retires Voluntarily From Service

Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, the Director of Army Public Relations,
has announced his voluntary retirement from the Nigerian Army.

The army spokesman made the disclosure in a statement on
Thursday, February 7.

“I am leaving highly fulfilled after contributing my best to
national development, the Nigerian Army, gaining great wealth of
knowledge, experience, inestimable network of friends which I will
treasure forever” the outgoing DAPR said.

Usman noted that while an official replacement has not been made
by the Force, he will be handing over his role as army spokesman to
Colonel AA Yusuf, the Chief of Staff, Directorate of Army Public
Relations.

The Army has since confirmed the development with a post via its
official social media pages where the Brig Gen Usman’s full
statement was published.

FAREWELL MESSAGE TO OFFICERS SOLDIERS AND
CIVILIAN STAFF OF THE DIRECTORATE OF ARMY PUBLIC RELATIONS ON MY
VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT FROM THE NIGERIAN ARMY. BY
SANI KUKASHEKA USMAN mni FNIPR
Brigadier General
Outgoing Director Army Public Relations.https://t.co/Plc4IWgWnL
pic.twitter.com/SZ19TriuSF^[1][2]

— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) February
7, 2019^[3]

His statement reads:

FAREWELL MESSAGE TO OFFICERS SOLDIERS AND CIVILIAN
STAFF OF THE DIRECTORATE OF ARMY PUBLIC RELATIONS ON MY VOLUNTARY
RETIREMENT FROM THE NIGERIAN ARMY

With utmost gratitude to God, I wish to inform you, the
wonderful Officers, Soldiers and Civilian Staff of the Directorate
of Army Public Relations, that with effect from Friday 8 February
2019, I will be proceeding on Terminal Leave, thus marking the end
of my exciting and fulfilling career in the Nigerian Army. I am
therefore bidding you all goodbye in my capacity as Director, Army
Public Relations.

I would like seize this opportunity to thank you
all for your friendship, love, support, loyalty and
encouragement over the years that tremendously assisted me
personally and repositioning the Directorate to the enviable height
attained, thus far. I also wish to thank the Nigerian nation and
the Nigerian Army for the wonderful opportunity to serve the
country and humanity in various capacities for over three
decades.

I am leaving highly fulfilled after contributing my best to
national development, the Nigerian Army, gaining great
wealth of knowledge, experience, inestimable network
of friends which I will treasure forever. I am thankful to the
Nigerian Army for giving me wonderful opportunities and work
exposure to practice Public Relations to the point of being a
Fellow of the prestigious Nigerian Institute of Public Relations
(FNIPR), Member of the National Institute (mni),
among other honours, awards and qualifications, as well as
attaining the highest level of command of the Directorate of Army
Public Relations twice.

Although a new Director has not been appointed yet, I am
handing over to Colonel AA Yusuf, the Chief of Staff, Directorate
of Army Public Relations. As I exit this noble profession
voluntarily, I wish you all continued fruitful years of service and
God’s blessings, guidance and protection, amen. I will certainly
miss you all and will continue to cherish the friendship and bond
among us.

I enjoin you to continue to keep the flag flying and
endeavour to contribute your best to further take the
Directorate of Army Public Relations to greater heights.

Thank you and God bless you all.

SANI KUKASHEKA USMAN mni FNIPR
Brigadier General
Outgoing Director Army Public Relations
7 February 2019

2019 Elections: DHQ Warns Military on
Neutrality

…Warns those ready to scuttle elections to beware

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has warned persons
or group of persons planning to scuttle the 2019 general elections
to jettison the idea just as the entire rank and file were advised
to be neutral in the discharge of their assignments.

The warning was made by Acting Director Defence Information,
Brigadier General John Agim at a press briefing on the forthcoming
2019 general elections at Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

Agim however, re-affirmed Armed Forces neutrality, impartiality
and strict adherence to professional code of conduct before, during
and after the polls.

He reiterated the Defence readiness to carry out its
constitutional duties with zero tolerance to unprofessional
conduct.

According to him, “No military personnel are expected to
fraternize with any political parties and associations.

“Let me emphatically state that the Defence Headquarters has
warned that all Officers, Soldiers, Ratings, Airmen and Women of
the Nigerian Armed Forces must remain neutral and exhibit
exceptional professionalism before, during and after the upcoming
elections,” he said.

“It is pertinent to state that military personnel have the right
to perform their civic duty to vote as enshrined in the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, they must approach
their polling units in mufti, devoid of any military
accoutrement.

“Any military personnel who is not on essential duty that is
found on military uniform on the election day will be arrested and
face full wrath of military just system.”

Among the top military officers in attendance were The
Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Director of
Information (DINFO), DINT and DOPRI.

By PRNigeria