The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) announced on Wednesday through X.com that Lt. Owowoh was celebrated during a decoration ceremony held on June 26, 2024, at the NDA Officer’s Mess and Golf Club. Major General JO Ochai, the NDA Commandant, praised Owowoh for her exemplary performance as a cadet, which earned her the distinction of being the first Nigerian woman to train at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. She has now been promoted to a new rank.
The event saw attendance from senior military officers, academic and non-academic staff, family members, and other guests.
Lt. Owowoh, 24, made history by becoming the first Nigerian female officer to graduate from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the UK, joining the ranks of notable Nigerian leaders like Yakubu Gowon, former head of state, and Emmanuel Undiandeye, chief of defense intelligence. Following her graduation, she returned to serve in the Nigerian military’s intelligence corps.
In a separate event, ten officers from the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps (NAAC) retired on Thursday after completing their mandatory years of service. The retirement ceremony was a key part of events organized by NAAC Headquarters in Bauchi, which included the commissioning of a new headquarters complex by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.
The retired officers included six Major Generals: Maj Gen Nsor Okpa Ojiji (Reviewing Officer), Maj Gen MH Magaji, Maj Gen GB Audu, Maj Gen M Danmadami, Maj Gen JG Mohammed, and Maj Gen UI Moh’d. Additionally, four Brigadier Generals were retired: Brig Gen A Israel, Brig Gen BA Moh’d, Brig Gen D Abdulsalam, and Brig Gen SP Akpan.
During the Special Parade that preceded the ceremony, Reviewing Officer Maj Gen Nsor Okpa Ofilii thanked the Army for maintaining traditions and encouraged their continuation. He highlighted improvements in accommodation and facilities within the NAAC and commended the efforts of commanders, officers, soldiers, and their families. He also acknowledged the COAS for providing resources for these improvements but noted ongoing challenges with inadequate equipment. Ofilii urged the NAAC commander to seek support from higher authorities, including the COAS, for further equipment upgrades, especially armoured fighting vehicles. He also called on the Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar, to prioritize equipment upgrades.
Major General Mohammed Ahmed, the Commandant of the Armoured Corps, expressed mixed feelings about the retirement of senior officers. He reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to community service, including free medical services and water provision, and maintaining high standards for the Corps’ equipment. He remarked, “I feel grateful, satisfied, and highly honored to witness a day filled with mixed feelings and emotions as we pulled out the retired senior officers. We are happy that we did what we are supposed to do. We carry out various services for the community, ranging from free medical services to the provision of piped water, and we promptly address any problems they report to us.”