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Following the recent appointment and redeployment of senior Nigerian Army officers, the newly appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force (South-South) Operation DELTA SAFE (OPDS), Major General Everest Okoro, has assumed command as the 12th GOC of 6 Division Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt Barracks Rivers State. The change of command ceremony took place on Friday, 24 July 2026, at the Headquarters 6 Division Nigerian Army.
Speaking during his farewell address, the immediate past GOC, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, expressed appreciation to the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff for giving him the opportunity to contribute his quota to national development. He, further commended officers and soldiers of the Division for their discipline, loyalty and cooperation, which he said contributed significantly to the achievements recorded during his tenure. He urged them to extend the same support to the incoming GOC.
The outgoing GOC disclosed that most of his appointments were based on merit, adding that when he assumed command on 24 January 2025, Nigeria’s daily oil production stood at approximately 1.3 million barrels per day, but had since increased to about 1.5 million barrels per day through the commitment of troops of the Division. He therefore, urged the incoming GOC to sustain the trajectory, while charging personnel to remain disciplined, professional and committed to their duties and to shun all acts capable of undermining the integrity of the Nigerian Army and the nation.
In his remarks, the newly appointed GOC, Major General Everest Okoro, expressed gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General waidi Shaibu NAM for finding him worthy for the appointment. He further described the outgoing GOC as a fine officer whom he had known since their days at the Nigerian Defence Academy. He thanked Major General Emekah for his mentorship, and congratulated him on his successful tenure and wished him success in his new appointment. Major General Okoro assured that he would build on the legacy of his predecessor, ensure the continued protection of critical national infrastructure and work towards sustaining increased oil production for greater revenue generation for the nation. Highlights of the ceremony included the signing of the handover notes, presentation of insignia, decoration with the Divisional Badge, presentation of the Divisional Flag and a group photograph.
