The outgoing Commanding Officer of the 146 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Habeeb Mbe has received commendation from the Commander, 6 Division Garrison, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Edet Effiong, for his excellent performance during his tour of duty in Bonny Island, Rivers State.

Brig. Gen. Effiong gave this commendation on Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at the FH Yahaya Camp (Base of the 146 Battalion) in Bonny, Rivers State.

“A few months back, one would have doubted if this small place will be turned around like this. I remember when I took over command or just before I took over, this was the first location I visited and just between a space of seven months, this place has been turned around like this.

“You’ve done well Mbe, and like I always told you guys, there’s nothing any man can give you to reward you, when you do well; it’s God that rewards you and it is my belief that God will reward you.”

Brig. Gen. Effiong, who is also the Commander, Sector 3 of the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, expressed his gratitude to God for the privilege of commissioning the projects, noting that the successful delivery of the projects by the outgoing Commanding Officer is a product of hard work and determination.  

“First and foremost, I give glory to God Almighty for counting me worthy of this day, for us to still be alive and then giving me the privilege once again to be in Bonny Island, and then the privilege to commission the projects that have been executed by the outgoing Commanding Officer of 146 Battalion, Lt. Col. HI Mbe.”

“As I told him, I said once the mind conceives it, the hands will be able to achieve it. There’s nothing impossible, especially, as soldiers, we dwell on impossibilities.”

Earlier, the outgoing Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Habeeb Mbe had introduced his successor, Lt. Col. Oyemade Oyewumi, to the visiting Garrison Commander, informing him that the projects he would be commissioning were his parting gifts to him. 

“The projects I executed in this Camp, I kept them for my Commander to be the one to commission them and also use them as a parting gift for him.”

“Let me also use this opportunity and introduce to you who are here, the incoming CO, Lt. Col. Oyewumi. He is also a very good and gentle man and very capable. I’m sure, he’s going to do more than you have seen me do here.

Among the projects commissioned were the newly constructed 146 Battalion one storey block house, guard post at the main entrance gate, twin helipad, and officers’ mess, amongst others. 

In attendance were the Leader of the Bonny Youth Federation, representatives of ethnic communities, security managers of companies in the area, amongst others.