On July 13, 2023, Major General Valentine Okoro took over as the 2 Division Nigerian Army‘s 44th General Officer Commanding (GOC). The new GOC thanked Maj Gen TA Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), for giving him the responsibility of commanding one of the Nigerian Army’s oldest divisions. He promised to put forth a lot of effort to earn the trust that had been given to him.
Major General Okoro praised his predecessor for the successes he had during his leadership of the division and pledged to take 2 Division even further. In order to carry out the COAS’s directive to provide a safe and secure environment for law-abiding residents within the division’s area of responsibility, he solicited the assistance of stakeholders and other security authorities. The new GOC expressed confidence in the troops’ capacity to battle armed violence and criminality in the South-West region and advised them to get ready for persistent offensives against criminals.
This declaration was made in Ibadan by Lieutenant Colonel Charles Ekeocha, Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 2 Division, Nigerian Army.
In his parting address to the troops, Maj Gen Mohammed Usman, the outgoing GOC, thanked them for their support under his leadership and urged them to do the same for his replacement, whom he regarded as a classmate and friend. He urged the troops to keep fostering an environment that allows law-abiding residents to go about their daily lives. He reassured them that the successor to his leadership would continue the traditions he had started. The departing GOC also expressed his gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff for continuing to place his trust in him and giving him the chance to lead the 81 Division.
The ceremony comprised the signing of handing and taking over notes, the lowering and raising of command flags, decoration with 2 Division badges, and a group photo. It also featured transferring the command flag to the new GOC.
