MAJOR GENERAL ADEBAYO ABDULRAHMAN BABALOLA ASSUMES COMMAND AS 26TH GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING 81 DIVISION
The newly appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Abdulrahman Babalola has formally taken over as the 26th General Officer Commanding, following a grand handover ceremony at the Headquarters 81 Division, 3 Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. He succeeded Major General Farouk Mijinyawa, whose tenure saw significant security advancements and economic growth within the Division’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).
In his inaugural address, Major General Babalola expressed gratitude to God Almighty and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu NAM, for the provilege and trust placed on him to command the Division. He pledged to build on the achievements of his predecessor, driving the Division towards greater mission success in line with the Chief of Army Staff Command Philosophy. The new GOC also appealed to officers and soldiers to extend the same cooperation and loyalty they showed his predecessor, as he began his tenure.
Major General Mijinyawa, the outgone GOC, thanked God and the Chief of Army Staff for the opportunity to serve. He highlighted key achievements, including enhanced operational readiness, improved security, reduced illegal activities, and improved discipline among personnel. He urged personnel to support his successor, in the interest of the Nigerian Army and the nation.
Major General Babalola is a seasoned officer with exceptional leadership qualities, born on 16 June 1973. A graduate of the 44th Regular Course of the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy, he holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and Defence Studies, and a Master of Science Degree in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
He has held various command, staff, instructional and extra-regimental appointment, including Military Observer in Darfur, Defence Attaché in Cotonou, and Directing Staff and later Chief Instructor at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji. He was Commanding Officer 212 Tank Battalion Maiduguri and also Commander 22 Armoured Brigade in Ilorin. His last appointment was Director Defence Liaison at the National Assembly. He has participated in numerous operations, including MNJTF, UNMIL, UNAMID, Operations BOYONA, ZAMAN LAFIA and LAFIYA DOLE.
The handover ceremony featured an address to troops by the outgone GOC, signing of handover and taking over notes, decoration of the new GOC with the Division insignia, and hoisting of the new GOC’s flag to signal the commence of a new era.
MUSA YAHAYA
Lieutenant Colonel
Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 81 Division Nigerian Army
