Following the recent appointment and redeployment of senior officers across Nigerian Army units and formations, a new Commander has been appointed for Guards Brigade Nigerian Army.
He is Col Adebisi Olusola Onasanya. He took over from Brig. General Aminu Umar who has been redeployed to Army War College Nigeria as the Deputy Commandant and Director of Studies.
The Brigade is charged with the primary responsibility to guard the President, first family and his guests, as well as perform ceremonial duties.
Speaking during the Handing and Taking-Over ceremony at the Brigade Conference room today, the out gone Commander Brig Gen Umar while appreciating officers and men of the Brigade for their support, loyalty and commitment through out his tour of duty, urges for same and more support to enable his successor carry out his assigned task of securing the Federal Capital Territory and its environs.
He stated that protecting the Presidency and the first family as the Nation’s seat of power which is the primary role of the Brigade can only be achieved with all hands on deck, he therefore urged officers and men of the Brigade and units under command to remain dedicated to their duties.
He expressed his gratitude to the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for all his support and the opportunity to serve him while he was the Commander Guards Brigade and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj Gen Taoreed Lagbaja for giving him another opportunity to further continue in the service of the motherland by giving him yet another area of responsibility.
He added that individual and collective contributions of officers and men of the Brigade made his tenure as Commander hitch free and further implored them to reciprocate the same to the new Commander whom he described as a highly committed and decorated senior officer with high moral standing.
Responding, the new Commander Guards Brigade, Col Adebisi Onasanya while appreciating the out gone Commander for his warm reception and swift hand over of the command noted that his achievement in the area of infrastructural development and general improvement in the welfare of the troops within the short period he served ataste to his dedication to serve and make meaningful contributions to the service of the nation.
He assured his predecessor of his commitment to continue with the good legacies to further enhance the welfare of the troops under command.
The new commander made it known to officers and men of the Brigade of his zeal to build upon the successes recorded by his predecessor stressing that, the task of moving the Brigade forward is the critical responsibility of all.
Col Onasanya urged personnel under command to key in to his agenda of moving the Brigade to a greater height with more commitment, dedication and discipline always.
He also expressed gratitude to the COAS Maj Gen Taoreed Lagbaja for finding him worthy of the appointment, assuring him of his commitment towards achieving the Vision of the Army Chief and to ensure security of lives and properties of all citizens within the Brigade’s Area of Responsibilities.
Earlier the new commander was conducted round units under command which include 7 Guards Battalion Maitama, 102 Guards Battalion Suleja, 176 Guards Battalion Gwagwalada, 177 Guards Battalion Keffi and Guards Brigade Garrison located in Mambilla Barracks Asokoro in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). There was also a special farewell parade Organised in honour of the former Commander.
High point of the ceremony was the signing of the handing and taking over note, decoration of the Commander with the Brigade Insignia and handing over of the Brigade flag of authority to the new Commander.The event was attended by Commanding Officers, officers, and men of the Brigade as well civilian staff.