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Oborevwori Hails As Prominent Nigerians Join Ika Nation At Gen Irabor’s Homecoming
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has praised the spirit of unity among the Ika people of Delta State that nurtured the emergence of Gen Lucky Irabor, (rtd) as the nation’s immediate past Chief of Defence Staff.
Governor Oborevwori spoke at the reception for the former CDS at Agbor as retired and serving generals joined the political class including the immediate past governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa to hail the contributions of General Irabor to turning the tide against the insurgency that had besieged the country.
The serving generals were led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Chris Musa with his predecessors including General Alex Ogomudia, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Azubike Ihejirika among the dignitaries.
Also present were the deputy governor of Delta State, Mr Monday Onyeme, the speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, the Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Dr Ebenezer Onyeagwu, Chairman of Thisday/Arise News, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Chief Nduka Irabor, erstwhile commander of the National War College, Rear Admiral PN Agholor, among others.
Admiring the turnout of dignitaries across the nation and the presence of the different clans in Ika Nation at the ceremony, Governor Oborevwori said:
“You can see that this is not a hired crowd. You can see that the unity of the Ika nation has brought about this hosting. God will bless Ika nation.
“As governor it is my duty to encourage other ethnic nationalities to continue to unite and to host their own and that will spur them to continue to do more. A lot has been said about our brother Gen. Irabor. As a speaker in the 7th Assembly, the lot that he has done I am aware and he was upgraded and almost at the point of retirement he was made the Chief of Defence Staff and putting another 29 months.
“And he has done very well as a brilliant officer. And one thing I find about him is that he is someone that has a passion to serve. He is committed, very focused in all his doing and I am very sure that the person that has taken over from you, CG Musa is also a fine officer and I know with him peace will come to this nation will come to this.”
In his goodwill remarks, Dr Ebenezer Onyeagwu said that the celebration of Gen Irabor’s feat in rising to the apex of the nation’s military architecture was with utmost discipline on the path of the erstwhile CDS even as he noted the accomplishments of the Ika nation in the professions.
“For you to get to the rank of general you must have passed through a lot of discipline, a lot of regimentation. You don’t get there by mere announcement, you work your way through.
“So, today we celebrate a man who has worked assiduously, meritoriously, and dedicatedly to become a Chief of Defence Staff of our nation, Nigeria.”
Senator Okowa on his part lauded General Irabor and particularly his wife in ensuring a peaceful home that allowed the husband to make progress in his military career.
Following the tributes, General Irabor affirmed that he has left the armed forces in good stead and with the appointment of Gen Musa as the new CDS that the armed forces will even do better.
“I am sure that your (Gen Musa) pedigree is well known. Let me assure the nation that in Gen Musa as CDS that the defence of the nation is in good hands.”
General Irabor also praised those he said mentored him from his days at Ika Grammar School to his days in the army, noting that General Ihejirika under whose tenure as Chief of Army Staff he served as Principal Staff Officer exposed him to the fundamentals of the operations in the Northeast.
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