Nnamani condoles GOC 82 Division
September 25, 2006

The Enugu State Governor, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani has described the Nigerian Army as an excellent institution which has undergone several metamorphoses to arrive at its present respectable status.

The Governor stated this when he paid a condolence visit to the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Samuel Atawodi, on the recent plane crash that killed some very top military officers, at the headquarters of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu.

Said the Governor, "The history of the Nigerian Army is the history of a veritable institution that has gone through the West African Constabulary, through the travails of colonization, independence, civil war and international peace-keeping operations, in the process growing from one division to many divisions.”

He noted that the Nigerian Army has played vital role in the unification of the country, pointing out that it is a good example of an institution that symbolizes excellence, sacrifice and man's commitment to protect his environment.

The State Chief Executive expressed his heartfelt sympathy to the officers and men of Nigerian Army and the families of the deceased and said that government and people of Enugu State shared in their pain and loss of the top officers who were victims of the air mishap.

The Governor told the GOC that "I have come here to pay my condolence, to share your pain and loss of the top officers of the Nigerian Army... we extend our condolence to the Commander in-Chief, the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs and men and women of the Nigerian Army, especially the 82 Division".

He however acknowledged the role the deceased had played in the socio-cultural and political life of the people, adding that they had paid the ultimate price and prayed God to grant their souls eternal rest.

The Governor noted that the gallantry exhibited, the way and manner the Army pulled themselves together during the process of rescue efforts, interment and post interment have shown clearly that the nation’s forces have joined the world of globalization in both physical and psychological aspects.

Responding, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Atawodi thanked Governor Nnamani for the spirit of sympathy he had shown to the men and women of the Nigerian Army.

He explained that the ill-fated trip was a training retreat of the GOCs and the Principal Staff Officers of the Army Headquarters which was aimed at looking for ways and means of moving the army forward.

Major General Atawodi described the occasion as a period of sadness and joy because it was only by grace and wisdom of God that he was not involved in the tragedy.

He told the Governor that most of the victims were his mates, colleagues and friends whom he grew together with, adding that their death was a big shock and loss to the Army and members of their families.

The GOC therefore on behalf of himself, the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff and families of the deceased thanked Governor Nnamani for the condolence visit.

He also prayed God to continue to give the Governor the wisdom and good health to lead the people and for the people under him to emulate his good works.