The statement was made by the newly appointed Chief of Civil Military Affairs (CCMA), Major General HI Bature on Thursday 09 April 2020 during the handing and taking over between him and the outgoing CCMA Major General US Mohammed in a brief ceremony conducted at the Department of Civil Military Affairs, Nigerian Army Headquarters Abuja. This is in adherence to the newly released posting and appointments of senior officers as approved by the Nigerian Army council. See NA posting here
Maj Gen HI Bature takes over the reign of leadership from the immediate past CCMA, Maj Gen US Mohammed who is now the General Officer Commanding the Nigerian Army 1 Division Kaduna. The incoming CCMA can be described as an embodiment of civil military relations judging from his achievements in his previous appointment at the Defence Liaison Office National Assembly Abuja.
The handing and taking over was conducted in accordance to military tradition at the Army Headquarters which commenced with the signing of handing and taking over notes, decoration of the new CCMA with the necessary insignia among others. While delivering his farewell address to officers and staff of the Department of Civil Military Affairs (DCMA), the outgoing CCMA Maj Gen US Mohammed expressed appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen TY Buratai for giving him the opportunity to serve the nation in the capacity as Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Nigerian Army for the past 15 months. He further stated that it is a rare privilege, having been assigned with the task to create positive image of the Nigerian Army, a position which he has done his bits. He also used the opportunity to implore the members of the media, civil society organization among others to also accord same or even better relationship and support to his successor.
In his maiden address, the New CCMA Major General HI Bature thank the Chief of Army Staff for appointing him to serve while pledging that the department will continue to project the Nigerian Army in a better light as he intend to create a better understanding of the workings of the Nigerian Army. Gen Bature without mixing feelings frown at the growing rate of campaign of calumny, Fake News and misinformation targeted against the Nigerian military, these contents he said have gross implication to national security thus he therefore warned perpetrators to desist from such unpatriotic acts. He further stated that Nigerians should acknowledge the fact that the Nigerian Army is their Army, #OurArmy and should be seen as such.
