• As CP Owohunwa, Brig. Gen. Edet, Oba Onigbongbo, Hon Olakanle, others attend Farewell Reception
The erstwhile Commander of the Nigerian Army, 9 Brigade Ikeja, Brig. Gen. IE Akpaumontia was given a worthy farewell reception on Thursday 4th May 2023. The Army Commander who is resuming at the Nigerian Army 12 Brigade Lokoja was applauded by everyone in attendance at the dinner reception.
He was also honoured by the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) with the award of Brigade Commander of the Year and a NAOSNP certificate of credence. The honours and award of excellence were presented on behalf of the media association to him by the Lagos Commissioner of Police, CP Idowu Owohunwa and the Oba of Onigbongbo, HRM. Oba Olusegun Olasunkanmi Ajasa Olashide (Awuse of Onigbongbo Kingdom). The President of the association, Oki Samson saluted Brig. Gen. Akpaumontia for his leadership qualities and giant strides during his tenure in the 9 Brigade HQ, Lagos.
The reception ceremony was attended by the heads of various security agencies and other dignitaries including the Lagos CP Idowu Owohunwa, State director of DSS, NSCDC Lagos commandant, the new 9 Brigade Commander, Brig. Gen. NJ Edet. Also in attendance were the Oba of Onigbongbo, HRM. Oba Olusegun Olasunkanmi Ajasa Olashide (Awuse of Onigbongbo Kingdom), Executive Chairman of Onigbongbo LCDA, Hon. Oladotun Olakanle, Senior Military Officers, Executive members of NAOSNP among others personalities.
Sharing his experience with the outgoing Commander, the Commissioner of Police Lagos command, CP Idowu Owohunwa revealed: ‘Talking about the Brigade Commander, I must say he is a Commander par excellence, his strength and his disposition for a strong interagency collaboration.
When I resumed office as CP in April, the traditional practice is for me to go round on courtesy visit but guess what, 2 days after, I was told that the Brigade Commander is here to see me. I was shocked because I was just planning that they should write a letter to him. That was an impactful moment for me. But that same night, an unfortunate incident happened between Police and military which triggered chain reaction around Ikorodu.
I called him and told him about the incident, he said he is aware and that she is on top of it. What would have been a security crisis was doused that same night and we also attended the burial of the boy who died together. From there, we addressed the cash crisis together and also the election security.’
‘I am saying this because we have Commands in this country where the Police and Army don’t see eye to eye. It is not like that in the centre of excellence, Lagos. I am saying bye bye with mixed feelings. I wish you the very best’, Owohunwa said.
The Executive Chairman of Onigbongbo LCDA where the 9 Brigade HQ is located, Hon. Oladotun Olakanle said: ‘We are very lucky in this environment that when we look at the profile of the military especially the Army, Onigbongbo have been very lucky from General Oyefolu, Lagbaja, Ndaji, Kawugana, Saraso, they have distinguished themselves. Akpaumontia was here before as Garrison Commander and when he was here, the way we related then is not different from how we do now.’
‘Unlike some people who their offices get into them. He is very resilient and to him there is no problem that doesn’t have solution, when you see him standing, his officers would also have to be standing. He is very disciplined and has so much integrity that I can attest to. Anywhere he goes to, I will keep my friendship. You will continue to go higher’, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP gathered from Hon. Olakanle.
The immediate past 9 Brigade Commander, Brig. Gen. IE Akpaumontia in his gratitude remarks shared: ‘It is quite tasking but God saw us through. I thank everyone who gave me gifts. I thank my wife and children especially when I am not around, my wife played the role of the father, mother, electrician, plumber. Please stop by when you pass Lokoja. I thank you all.’
