Too Many Generals Healthy For Nigeria Military – Retiree, As Ekiti Monarch Canvasses Role For Obas

By Ayodele Oni

As debate over too many Generals in the Nigeria Army rages, a retired senior officer has said that their presence  is good for the military.

Recently, following the appointment of officers of lower ranks to head the military hierarchy, many senior officers were forced to resign

According to Gen Adeyemi Adetayo (rtd) it is a blessing for the Nigerian military to have many Generals in the Service as they are all engaged in policy formulation and other security duties.

He spoke at a reception, organized for him by the Alawe of Ilawe in Ekiti state, Oba Adebanjo Alabi and the community to mark his retirement after 38 years in service.

Adetayo and his wife were honoured with chieftaincy titles of Jagungbayi of Ilawe by Oba Alabi.

He insisted that Nigeria cannot be compared with other countries which have lesser generals as the country has only an army as against others with several armies.

“I will not support the argument that there are too many generals. People are misinformed, they don’t know what it takes to have an army.

“In some countries, they have more than an army, we have only Nigerian Army here, others have up to five or more.

“We don’t value what we have. Generals are not too many in the military, they are meant to commandments.

Adetayo described his 38 years in the military as rigorous and turbulent, and expressed happiness that his return home will afford him opportunity to contribute more to the community.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Oba Alabi renewed call for inclusion of traditional Rulers in governance, especially in the area of security.

Oba Alabi stated that “I support constitutional roles for traditional Rulers in the country. I was in the team of National Council of  traditional Rulers that visited the national assembly to advocate for roles and we espoused the need for that role.

“We hope in no distant time, something will be done because they are the closest to people at the grassroot. Hardly will anything happen and they will not know.

“When you have an aggregate of traditional Rulers coming to table to discuss national issues, it will be better for the country.”

The Alawe commended the retired officer for his contributions to the development of Ilawe community which include building a befitting office for the monarch and blocks of classrooms for the community secondary school.