From DELE OGUNYEMI, Ibadan
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1 has commended the officers and men of the Nigerian Army for their gallantry in defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria and for their relationship with the civil society. Oba Adetunji gave this commendation when the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General Martins Abraham paid him a courtesy visit at his Popoyemoja, Ibadan palace on Tuesday. The monarch remarked that Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, religion and/or ideological persuasion, have tremendous amount of confidence in the Nigerian Military and its capacity to defend the territorial integrity of the country. He said: ‘I am impressed by the conduct of your men and their capacity to subordinate themselves to civil authority and the atmosphere of peace that pervades our society. I am also happy to note the contributions of your men to the peace in the border between Oyo State and Republic of Benin which falls within the western axis of Nigeria. Let me also commend the efforts of your men in the Oyo State Security Outfit code-named Operation Burst in the area of crime detection and prevention.’ The royal father stated further that without the efforts of the military, peace and progress would have eluded our community. The first class monarch later pleaded with the people to continue to cooperate and support the military in its bid to realise its mandate for Nigeria. Earlier, the GOC 2 Division, Major General Abraham had described Ibadan and Oyo State as very peaceful, attributing it to the wisdom, knowledge and understanding of the traditional institution ably represented by the Olubadan. In the GOC’s entourage to Olubadan’s palace, Ibadan were Col. A. C. Chukwuma, Commander 2 Division Provost Group, Col. Adebayo Adekola; the Commander 2 Military Intelligence Brigade, Col. Idimah; Deputy Director, Public Relation, Col. I. M. Lafal; Deputy Chief of Staff, Civil-Military relations and P. O. Oloyede; Staff Officer Grade 2 Civil-Military Relations.