Authorities of the Nigerian Army have effected a major shake-up, with the appointment of a new General Officer Commanding for 81 Division, Lagos.

Similarly, three new Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) at the Army Headquarters (AHQ), Abuja were appointed.

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Under the new arrangement, Major-General S.N. Chikwe is to take over as the GOC, 81 Division, Lagos, while the former GOC, Major-General Azubuike Ihejirija, has been appointed Director, Army Standards and Evaluation (DASE).

General Chikwe, until his new appointment, was the Chief of Operations, Army (COPSA), Army Headquarters. Major-General Ike, the former DASE, has been posted to the Defence Head Quarters (DHQ) as a director.

Major-General Saleh, former GOC, 82 Division, takes over from General Chikwe as Chief of Operations, while Brigadier-General Charles is the new director of Finance and Accounts (DAFA). He takes over from Major-General Joseph Lartey, who has been posted to head the Army Welfare Holdings Limited.

Also on the list are: Major-General Isah, who is now the Chief of Administration (COA), while the former COA, Major-General Penam, has been appointed the director, Training and Evaluation at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ). Major-General Lawrence Ngubane, chairman of the Joint Task Force, Warri, has been appointed the deputy commandant, National Defence College (NDC), while Brigadier-General Rintip takes over as the new chairman of the JTF.

In a related development, President Umaru Yar’Adua, has approved the appointment of Rear-Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah as commandant, National Defence College (NDC). The appointment, according to a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Captain Henry Babalola, takes immediate effect.

Admiral Jonah’s appointment followed the voluntary retirement of the immediate past commandant of the college, Rear-Admiral A.A. Isah, last December.

Born March 6, 1954, in Nembe, Bayelsa State, Admiral Jonah got enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy in June, 1974, as a member of 16 Regular Course and emerged as the best graduating Naval cadet.

The new commandant has held several military postings. Until his appointment, Admiral Jonah was a directing staff and director, Academic Research and Analytical Support of the NDC.