Eighteen senior officers of the Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport (NACST) have officially retired after 35 years of distinguished service, marking the end of decades-long military careers dedicated to national defence and operational support.
The officers were honoured on Thursday at a colourful pulling-out parade held in Benin City, Edo State, which also marked the close of a three-day corps conference.
The event, themed “Optimising Supply and Transport Capabilities Towards Providing Effective Service Delivery to Nigerian Army Operations in All Missions,” brought together top military officials and former corps commanders to celebrate the retirees’ contributions.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Corps Commander, Major General Danjuma Shagaya, disclosed that the retired personnel included four Major Generals and 14 Brigadier Generals. He commended them for their unwavering commitment, noting that they had served the nation diligently from their commissioning to retirement.
Shagaya described the occasion as both a celebration and recognition of sacrifice, adding that the pulling-out parade remains a longstanding military tradition used to honour years of dedicated service.
“It is a joyous moment for the Corps of Supply and Transport, as current and former Corps Commanders gather to celebrate these distinguished officers,” he said.
He also praised the Chief of Army Staff for acknowledging the retirees’ contributions by sending a representative to the ceremony.
Speaking on behalf of the retired officers, Major General Olaniyi Dare highlighted the critical role of the Corps of Supply and Transport in sustaining military operations across various theatres.
“Our careers spanned decades of operational, command, and staff responsibilities, ensuring that troops are adequately supported at all times,” Dare said.
He noted that the corps remained central to the Army’s effectiveness, providing essential logistics during training exercises, peacekeeping missions, and internal security operations both within and outside Nigeria.
Dare assured that although they were leaving active service, the retired officers would continue to uphold the values of the Nigerian Army and remain available to contribute their expertise when needed.
Reflecting on their journey, he described the ceremony as symbolic, offering a moment to look back on years of sacrifice and commitment to national service.
He also paid tribute to their families, acknowledging the crucial support system that enabled them to fulfill their duties despite the demands of military life, including long separations and frequent relocations.
