The President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, has awarded national honors to two high-ranking Nigerian military officials, acknowledging their key contributions to maintaining peace during the civil unrest in Sierra Leone.
The awards were presented as a part of the 17th Armed Forces Day commemorations of the Sierra Leone Armed Forces that took place in Freetown.
Nigeria’s current Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, alongside former Chief of Defence Staff Martin Luther Agwai, received the esteemed Grand Commander of the Order of the Rokel.
These honors recognized their pivotal roles in fostering peace and stability in Sierra Leone, particularly amid the civil strife the nation faced.
A statement from the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, highlighted that General Oluyede's award recognized his service within the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG).
It was noted that his contributions, along with those of other Nigerian soldiers and officers, played a crucial role in reinstating peace and upholding the sovereignty of Sierra Leone.
During the ceremony, it was mentioned that Oluyede served in Sierra Leone as part of ECOMOG from 1992 to 1994.
In this capacity, he was deployed as a Platoon Commander at the residence of the then Head of State, where he exhibited outstanding leadership, professionalism, and a strong commitment to safeguarding constitutional authority.
Moreover, four additional distinguished officers from different countries were also acknowledged during the event.
These included Daniel Opande from Kenya, Ibrahima Sory Bangoura from Guinea, Paul Rogers from the United States, and Edward Butler from the United Kingdom.
The celebration also paid tribute to several nations for their sacrifices towards regional security.
Special recognition was given to the Nigerian Armed Forces for their bravery and sacrifices made during Sierra Leone's civil war.
The Nigerian contingent under ECOMOG received praise for their valor and commitment to safeguarding civilians during a critical juncture in the nation’s history.
This ceremony further highlighted Sierra Leone's appreciation for the efforts of both regional and international partners in securing lasting peace and stability within the country.
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