MINISTRY OF DEFENCE ORGANISES VALEDICTORY DINNER FOR OUT GOING MINISTER. .......As Magashi Renews Unwavering Love For Soldiering, Even Next World.

It was a night of standing ovations and outpouring of emotional tributes for the out-going Minister of Defence Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd), CFR.

This was at the AHQ Command Officers mess Asokoro Abuja, venue of the valedictory dinner organised by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni in honour of the Minister ahead of the end of his successful tenure on 29th May next week.

The Defence Minister, Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) CFR thanked the management and staff of the Ministry as well as the top, middle and lower echelons in the Military Sector for the honour and support accorded him in service to the nation.

While recalling some of his achievements in office such as the various reforms and massive re-equipment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for enhanced capabilities, he said jointness among the services has been a force multiplier in degrading the Non State Actors.

He appreciated the Commander-in- Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR for the opportunity to serve the Country as a topnotch member of the Federal Executive Council.

The honouree whose wife Afusat Magashi, children, led by Mustapha Magashi, family and friends graced the colourful dinner, gave God the glory for the successful tour of duty and renewed his love for soldiering even in the next World.

He said his uncompromising Service in defending the national territorial integrity recorded above 80% solutional success in tackling the nation's security challenges.

The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni, described the out going Minister as a great leader and an elderstateman with unblemished record of service to the nation.

He said he is bequeathing a Defence sector better than he met it in August 2019.

The Chief of Defence Staff General Leo Irabor, CFR and the Service Chiefs acknowledged the administrative wizadry and legendary of General Magashi whom they described as an exemplar and great infantry General.

The Director Joint Service Department Ministry of Defence Olu Mustapha and his counterpart in the Legal department Bola Odugbesan scored the administration of Magashi very high in human capacity development, staff welfare and Training.

The Commandant Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA Maj Gen IM Yusuf, OFR a mentee of the out-going Minister and the Managing Director, CEO of the Defence Health Maintenance Limited DHML Rear Admiral Bayo Afolayan(rtd) extolled the virtues of General Magashi as a man of unassuming personality, high integrity, humility and simplicity as well as a tested and trusted administrator.

The Minister's son, Mustapha Magashi who openly betrayed his emotion couldn't agree less to all the outpouring of encomiums showered on their patriarch. He expressed the appreciation of the family to all stakeholders in the Defence sector who supported him to succeed in his tour of duty.

The Special Adviser Technical to the out-going Defence Minister, Maj Gen Ahmed Tijani Jibrin succintly proposed a toast for the good health and long life of Maj General Magashi (rtd) CFR.