The 32 Artillery Brigade, Owena Cantonment, Akure, now has a new Brigadier Commander, Brig.-Gen. Raymond Utsaha, who replaced Brig.-Gen. Zakar Abubakar.
Abubakar has been posted to the Nigerian Army school of Artillery, Kaduna, as the Deputy Commandant of the school.
Speaking during the handing and taking over ceremony on Wednesday in Akure, Abubakar expressed gratitude to God for a successful tenure in the state.
He said that though there were challenging times, his stay there was interesting, rewarding and fulfilling.
He thanked the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) for finding him worthy to serve as Commander, 32 Artillery Brigade.
He also thanked the men and officers of the command for their cooperation, support, commitment and high sense of discipline which made his tenure a success.
The outgoing commander enjoined the troops to extend the same cooperation to his successor, Utsaha, describing him as an experienced senior officer capable of meeting with the demands of the new office.
Abubakar further reminded the troops of the crucial role of the brigade which demands absolute loyalty, sacrifice and dedication to service.
He urged officers and men to remain loyal and vigilant while carrying out assigned tasks, and charged them to rededicate themselves to the service of humanity by providing peace and security to Nigerians.
Responding, the incoming commander, Utsaha, affirmed his commitment to building on the successes of 32 Artillery Brigade and its areas of responsibility for safety.
“I will work in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure that Ondo and Ekiti states are more secured and peaceful,” he said.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of Command Flag to the incoming commander.
Present at the event were the incoming 32 Artillery Brigade Garrison Commander, Col. J.A. Ifeanyi, Chief of Staff, Commanding Officers 323 Artillery Regiment, officers and soldiers of the Brigade.