The Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman, has announced his retirement from the Nigerian Army with effect from February 8, 2019.
The Army spokesman revealed his retirement moves in a statement he sent to newsmen on a Nigerian Army WhatsApp platform on Wednesday.
Usman wrote in the statement: “It is with utmost gratitude to Allah Subhanahu wa ta’ala, that I wish to inform you 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.”
Usman, who recently returned from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, near Jos, Plateau State, with the prestigious Member of the National Institute award, thanked all those who contributed to his achieving his mandate in the Nigerian Army.
He said: “I would like seize this opportunity to thank you all for your friendship, love, support and encouragement over the years that tremendously assisted me personally and repositioning the Directorate of Army Public Relations to the enviable height attained, thus far.
“I also wish to thank the Nigerian nation for the wonderful opportunity to serve the country and humanity in various capacities for over three decades.”
Usman said he was proceeding on retirement a fulfilled man.
He said: “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 also 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, Member of the National Institute, among other honours, awards and qualifications, as well as attaining the highest level of command of the Directorate of Army Public Relations twice.”
On his replacement, Usman said: “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 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 support the military while discharging your professional duties.”
However, mixed reactions greeted Usman’s announcement on the WhatsApp platform, which was created for the dissemination of news on the activities of the Nigerian Army.
Many were of the view that the information machinery of the Service still requires the skills and mien of Usman, while there were those who commended him for contributing his quota to the wellbeing of the Nigerian Nation and wished him well in his future endeavours, describing his exit at this time as painful.
Indeed, there was a gap in information dissemination machinery of the Army while Usman was away in the NIPSS.
Things picked up as soon as he returned.
Many are of the opinion that Usman’s experience and carriage are needed at this crucial time when the war against the Boko Haram insurgency is intense and the propaganda machinery of the terrorists gaining grounds.
Through his effort, a well attended and organised seminar on Media-Military Relations was held in Abuja two weeks ago, bringing into sharper focus the reportage of the war against terrorism.