News
Army appoints new GOCs, PSOs, MNJTF Commander in major shake-up
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede has appointed new General Officers Commanding (GOCs), new Principal Staff Officers (PSOs), new Corps Commanders and a new Commander, Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in a strategic move to enhance operational effectiveness and administrative efficiency.
The newly appointed GOCs are Major General OT Olatoye from Nigerian Army School of Infantry to Headquarters 82 Division/Joint Task Force (JTF) South East Operation Udoka (OPUK) as GOC 82 Division/Commander JTF OPUK and Maj Gen EF Oyinlola from Department of Military Secretary to Headquarters 3 Division as GOC 3 Division/ Commander Operation Safe Haven (OPSH).
Other GOCs whose acting appointments were confirmed are Maj Gen AGL Haruna as GOC 7 Division/Commander Sector 1 JTF North East Operation Hadin Kai and Maj Gen IA Ajose as GOC 8 Division/Commander Sector 2 JTF North West Operation Fasan Yanma.
Maj Gen GM Mutkut is posted from Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre to Headquarters Multi-National Joint Task Force Njamena as the Force Commander while Maj Gen GO Adeshina is redeployed from Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals to Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre and appointed Director General.
Some of the senior officers appointed as PSOs at the Army Headquarters include Maj Gen LA Fejokwu, from National Defence College to Department of Army Administration and appointed Chief of Administration (Army), Maj Gen GU Chibuisi, from Nigerian Army Resource Centre to Department of Civil Military Affairs and appointed Chief of Civil Military Affairs and Maj Gen AS Ndalolo, also from the Nigerian Army Resource Centre to Department of Army Training and appointed Chief of Training (Army).
Others include Maj Gen OS Abai, from the Department of Army Training to the Department of Army Transformation and Innovation, appointed Chief of Transformation and Innovation and Maj Gen JH Abdussalam from Headquarters 6 Division to the Department of Special Services and Programmes and appointed Chief of Special Services and Programmes.
Maj Gen EI Okoro has been redeployed from the Department of Army Logistics to the Department of Military Secretary and appointed Military Secretary (Army).
The redeployment also featured Maj Gen MC Kangye from Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery to Defence Headquarters as the Director of Media Operations.
Senior officers appointed as Corps Commanders include Maj Gen OC Ajunwa from Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre to Headquarters Nigerian Army Armour Corps and appointed Commander, Maj Gen HT Wesley from the Department of Special Services and Programmes to Headquarters Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, appointed Commander
Maj Gen TT Numbere from Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre to Headquarters Nigerian Army Engineers and appointed Commander.
Maj Gen NC Ugbo moves from Department of Civil Military Affairs to Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals and appointed Commander, Maj Gen ZL Abubakar from Department of Army Transformation and Innovation to Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery and appointed Commander.
Maj Gen AP Oguntola from Nigerian Army College of Education Science and Technology to Headquarters Nigerian Army Education Corps and appointed Corps Commander.
Other senior officers also affected by the redeployment are Maj Gen JO Sokoya, appointed Commandant Nigerian Army Training Centre, Maj Gen UM Alkali appointed Commandant Army War College Nigeria, while Maj Gen FS Etim from the Department of Army Transformation and Innovation is redeployed to Nigerian Army School of Infantry, appointed Commandant.
Maj Gen AB Mohammed has been redeployed from the Department of Army Operations to Depot Nigerian Army and appointed commandant.
Other newly appointed senior officers are Maj Gen IE Ekpenyong now Commandant of Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering and Maj Gen AO Adegbite appointed Commandant of Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, while Brig Gen AM Umar is redeployed from Army War College Nigeria to Warrant Officers Academy and appointed Commandant, among others.
A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu said, “The Chief of Army Staff has directed all newly appointed senior officers to bring renewed vigour, dedication and commitment to their duties, particularly while ensuring the sustenance of the ongoing onslaught against terrorism, insurgency and other threats to national security.
“He equally charged them to ensure that the welfare of troops remained paramount as they assumed their new appointments.
“The reshuffling underscores Nigerian Army’s commitment to ensuring robust and dynamic leadership structure capable of addressing emerging security challenges.”
Also joined as contemnor is the Medical Director, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, Dr Unaogu Ngozika.
The duo are said to have disobeyed an order of court which ordered the immediate reinstatement of Prof Monday Igwe as the Medical Director.
A judgement of the National Industrial Court, Abuja Division, had nullified the appointment of Dr. Unaogu as the Medical Director of the Hospital and ordered the reinstatement of Prof. Monday Igwe as the Medical Director following the declaration that the earlier termination of his appointment is null and void.
Recall that Justice E. D. Subilim of the National Industrial Court, Abuja, had on 11th December 2025, delivered a judgment in which he ordered the reinstatement of Prof. Monday Igwe to office as the Medical Director after he declared the earlier termination of his appointment as null and void and also nullified the later appointment of Dr. Unaogu Ngozi.
The court found that the termination of Prof. Monday Igwe’s appointment did not follow laid down disciplinary procedure.
It also held that the appointment of Dr. Unaogu Ngozi during the pendency of the suit in which she was a party rendered it a nullity.
However, several months after the judgement was served on the Defendants, they have refused to comply with the judgment orders.
Lawyer to the plaintiff, Mr. Michael O. Okorie, Esq, had told the court that Ngozi Unaogu “has continued to perform the functions of office, including awarding contracts, bank transactions, staff appointments and other official functions despite her appointment having been declared a nullity with the legal effect that contractors and bankers dealing with her are doing such at their own peril, especially as the said judgment has not been stayed by any order for stay of execution.”
Okorie has consequently filed and served Form 48-Notice of consequence of disobedience of court orders-against the Minister of state, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and Unaogu, the Medical Director.
According to the lawyer, “the Minister of State is the supervising minister who issues/conveys/signs appointment letters to the Medical Director of the Hospital on behalf of the President.
“It is time for the Minister of State to reassess his legal team at the Ministry so that they do not end up misleading him into running foul of the law which he has sworn to protect as public servant.”
Meanwhile, court documents obtained by our correspondent show that the contempt proceeding was initiated pursuant to Order IX, Rule 13(1-3) of the Judgment (Enforcement) Rules, Section 72 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act, 2004, Order 63 of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (Civil Procedure).
“TAKE NOTICE that unless you obey the directions contained the order of the National Industrial Court, Abuja Division delivered on the 11th December, 2025 which declared null and void the termination of appointment of the Applicant, Prof. Monday Igwe, nullified the appointment of DR. UNAOGU NGOZICHUKWU NNEKA as the MEDICAL DIRECTOR, FEDERAL NEUROPSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, ENUGU, ENUGU STATE, and ordered the re-instatement of Prof. Monday Igwe as the Medical Director of the FEDERAL NEUROPSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, ENUGU, ENUGU STATE, and also, ordered the payment of the arrears of salary to Prof. Monday Igwe, you will be guilty of contempt of Court and will be liable to be committed to prison. A copy of the said order of court earlier served on you is hereby annexed for your on-the-spot reference.
“This Court has been informed that as at today, Tuesday, 14th April, 2026 that DR. UNAOGU NGOZICHUKWU NNEKA has continued to perform functions of the office of the MEDICAL DIRECTOR, FEDERAL NEUROPSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, ENUGU, ENUGU STATE while Prof. Monday Igwe has not been reinstated to office in utter disregards to the subsisting orders of this Honourable Court which execution has not been stayed,” the court notice already served on the alleged contemnors read.
Dr Unaogu and her lawyers could not be reached by The Advocate at the weekend to ascertain why she has not vacated the office of the Medical Director as ordered by the Industrial court in Abuja.
which ordered her to vacate the Medical Director of the hospital has not been
By LUCY OSUIZIGBO-OKECHUKWU
Brig.-Gen. Uche Nnabuihe has raised concern over low enlistment from the South-East, revealing Anambra recorded only 117 applications out of 38,000 nationwide.
Nnabuihe led an Army delegation to sensitise youths in Awka, noting the figure was recorded on April 7, before a nationwide awareness campaign began.
He said the exercise aimed to encourage more youths from Anambra and the South-East to join the 91 Regular Recruits Intake before the May 27 deadline.
“We observed with concern that out of 38,000 applications received nationwide, only 117 came from Anambra as of April 7.
“This sensitisation is to correct that imbalance and encourage our youths to take advantage of opportunities in the Nigerian Army,” he said.
Nnabuihe urged eligible youths to apply, noting the Army offers a structured career path and opportunities for national service.
Lt.-Col. Ogbemudia Osawe said training infrastructure had expanded, with new institutions in Abakaliki and Osogbo to accommodate incoming recruits.
Osawe listed benefits, including career progression, regular pay, continuous military education, specialised training, and exposure to diverse cultures.
He added personnel enjoy welfare packages, free medical care for families, pensions, gratuities, and opportunities for international assignments.
Permanent Secretary, Anambra Ministry of Youths, Ifeatu Emodi, commended the initiative, describing military enlistment as crucial for South-East youths.
Emodi said declining interest among youths stemmed from misconceptions and misinformation about the Army.
Traditional ruler, Igwe Michael Okeke-Uche of Enugwu-Agidi, praised the Army’s welfare structure and urged youths to enlist for better regional representation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the sensitisation held at the Ministry of Youths in Awka, attracting a cross-section of young people. (NAN)
By IHECHINYERE CHIGEMERI-UWOM
Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has expressed deep shock and sorrow over the death of a U.S.-based Nigerian physician, Dr Uzoma Nwaubani, who was in the state for a medical mission.
Otti, in a condolence message signed by him and issued on Friday in Umuahia, said that he received the news of her passing with shock, describing her as a dedicated and compassionate medical practitioner.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the State Government in collaboration with the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA) organised a five-day free medical outreach that held from April 13 to April 17.
The governor noted that the late Nwaubani was a member of the association and had returned to Nigeria with her husband and daughter, a final-year medical student in the United States, to provide free medical services to residents of Abia.
He said that while participating in the ongoing medical outreach, she developed a medical emergency and was immediately taken to a hospital.
According to him, a team of ANPA and local medical experts worked together to provide urgent critical care in a bid to save her life.
“Despite the gallant efforts of the highly skilled medical team to resuscitate her, she could not make it,” Otti said.
The governor extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, her loved ones, and members of ANPA, adding that the state government was already in communication with her family and the leadership of the association.
He promised that the government would provide the necessary support to the bereaved family and ANPA during the period of mourning.
Otti also commended the family of the late doctor and ANPA for allowing the medical mission to continue in spite of the loss.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritising the health and well-being of residents and visitors to the state.
The governor prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and for strength for her family to bear the loss. (NAN)
-
News13 hours agoShock, as U.S.-based doctor dies during free medical mission in Abia
-
News3 days ago
JAMB: Gunmen abduct UTME candidates, others
-
News2 days ago
Billionaire trader Habby Forex hospitalized in Canada, undergoes surgery
-
News1 day ago
BREAKING: JAMB releases first batch of 2026 UTME results, warns against score manipulation
-
News2 days ago
JAMB to release Thursday’s UTME 2026 results today
-
News1 day ago
Arewa APC Forum withdraws support for Tinubu citing nepotism, incompetence
-
News12 hours ago
Contempt of Court: Enugu Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital MD, Health Minister face jail terms
-
News23 hours ago
Gunmen behead 30-year-old man in fresh Plateau attack
