From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
Encomiums were lavished on one of the brightest officers ever in the Nigerian Army, Major Gen. Victor Ezugwu (Rtd).
Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, extolled Ezugwu, saying that he was exceptional in his military career and left an indelible mark in the war against terrorism in Nigeria.
Buratai and others spoke at the grand homecoming and thanksgiving mass in Ezugwu’s honour at his Umurusi Ukehe community in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, on Wednesday, December 27, 2023.
He said that when he discovered Ezugwu’s genius and special qualities, as well as his humility, he held him closer and saddled him with tough assignments and responsibilities.
According to Buratai, Ezugwu dispatched his duties with a touch of perfection, adding that his inventions helped troops in recapturing territories held by insurgents: “Discovering his unique qualities, I placed him in a critical and demeaning position, and he delivered with some level of perfection.
“I tested his humility and endurance by keeping him as an acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) for 7 Division for two years, even when he was doing exceptionally well in fighting insurgencies in that axis of the country.
“While as a threat commander, he helped the country roll back the expansion of Boko Haram and recovered a lot of communities and council areas that fell into the hands of the bandits.”
The erstwhile COAS thanked Ezugwu for coming out with lots of initiatives, as well as for conceptualising and building anti-landmine vehicles and landmine detectors to “protect our troops from landmine devastation by our enemies.”
Responding, Gen. Ezugwu thanked his family, course mates, and well-wishers for coming from across the country to honour him despite challenges.
He, however, described his military career, which spanned from 1985 to 2023, as “a very sweet and bitter journey.”
He commended his wife for being there for him both physically and spiritually, and his children for their support.
Ezugwu also thanked the priests and his people of Ukehe community for their support and prayers. He prayed God to bless them.