The General Officer Commanding 1 Division (GOC) Nigerian Army and Commander Operation Whirl Punch Maj Gen MLD Saraso, formation commanders, principal staff officers, officers and soldiers of Headquarters 1 Division NA on friday 21 June 2024 gathered at the Division’s Auditorium to celebrate and showered praises on MWO Yunusa Ibitoye for being  forthright, discipline, highly regimented and responsible.

MWO Ibitoye who have been the Division’s Regimental Sergeant Major in the past 11 months is discharging from active service after 34 and half years of meritorious service to the Nigerian Army and will be proceeding to Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre Oshodi, Lagos for his pre-discharge course any moment from now.

Speaking during  the befitting send- off ceremony organised for the outgoing RSM, the  GOC acknowledged RSM Ibitoye’s exemplary and selfless service while serving as RSM 1 Division. He commended his good conduct, composure and dedication to duty and urged  him to be a good ambassador of the Division in particular and the Nigerian Army in general as he exited the Service. Gen Saraso wished him well in his future endeavor and advised him to be mindful of dubious people who will bring up fraudulent business ideas to defraud him possession. 

In his vote of thanks, the retiring RSM  MWO Yunusa Ibitoye give glory to God Almighty for a successful career spinning over 3 decades. He specially thanked the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TA Lagbaja NAM for his strategic and quality leadership of the NA and appreciated the GOC Maj Gen MLD Saraso for his mentorship, guidance, support and kind gesture particularly the befitting sentforth and numerous gifts presented to him. 

He also  thanked all the Commanders and Principal Staff Officers for their support, advice and  guidance. To his subordinates, he advised them to desist from rumor mongering and remain dedicated and highly disciplined and take all lawful orders given to them by their superiors. He wished the Division and the NA successes in its determined fight against terrorism, insurgency and violent extremism.

High points of the event were parting words /goodwill massages from commanders, principal staff officers and some formations RSMs to the outgoing RSM, presentation of several gifts to the outgoing RSM and group photographs.