Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah has assumed command as the 11th General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA).
Expectedly, he will double as the Land Component Commander (LCC) Joint Task Force (South South) Operation DELTA SAFE.
Major General Emekah assumed command following military formalities and courtesies at the Division Headquarters, Port Harcourt Barracks today Friday 24 January 2025.
The new GOC, while delivering his maiden address thanked the COAS for his appointment as the GOC. He further expressed optimism that the Division will surpass the Federal Government of Nigeria’s (FGN) target of 2.3 million barrels per day (bpd) in crude oil production.
He pointed out that the Division is strategic to the nation and the Presidency, stressing that crude oil is the mainstay of the nation’s economy.
Speaking further, he charged troops to work hard to surpass the achievements of the Division and the FGN 2.3 million bpd target.
He set a new target of 2.5 million bpd to troops and promised to lead by example, saying he will not be confined to his office, but will be visible in the field, working closely with his formations and units as well as other security agencies in line with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede’s command philosophy.
He said: “We will not disappoint you. The task, we are not looking 2.3, we are looking at 2.5 million bpd so that even if we miss it, we will drop to 2.4 m bpd. “We are going to do our best, you have to tighten you belt, I am not the commander that sits in the office. I am not comfortable siting in office, I will be platoon commander to some of your units. You will be seeing me, the Chief of Staff will be doing the office work, while I will be in the feild.”
Major General Emekah who described his predecessor as his mentor, said they have a very cordial relationship date back to their formative days at the Nigerian Defence Academy. He praised his leadership qualities, adding that he will always seek his guidance.
He assured the outgone GOC that he will strive hard to surpass, what has been achieved being a believer in the saying that it’s good for a child to be greater than his father for the father’s pride. He said, the outgone GOC remained a mentor, worthy of emulation by all.
The GOC, however emphasized the importance of welfare to personnel and their families. He reassured that welfare under his watch will be prioritized appropriately.
He congratulated Major General Abdussalam on his new and higher appointment and prayed for his successful tour of duty. He used the opportunity to appeal to all the commanders to ensure all hands are on deck for better results. The days ahead will be operationally demanding he reiterated.
While delivering his farewell address, the outgone GOC, Major General Abdussalam charged troops of 6 Division to redouble their efforts in ensuring that criminal elements are eliminated in the region.
This, he said will create a conducive atmosphere for more improvement in the oil production. He reiterated that 6 Division is the custodian of the nation’s critical infrastructure, which is the crude oil as such, “we must strive and shun the miscreants who sabotage our efforts to make our nation better from our communities for whatever we do affect even our kinsmen in our localities”, he said.
He enjoined them to cultivate the habit of always portraying the Division and NA at large as a beacon of hope for the citizens. He added that every NA personnel is an ambassador of the highly reputed organization called the NA.
Major General Jamal also informed troops of the COAS welfare packages for their betterment and that of their families. These he said, include accommodation, military kits, combat enablers, massive infrastructural development, healthcare amongst several others. He concluded that to whom much is given, much is also expected, as such they must reciprocate accordingly.
He thanked them for their dedication and commitment, which led his successful tenure as GOC. The sum total of their support translated into the improved oil production to almost 2 million barrels per day from 1.2 million that he met on assumption of command in 2023. He urged them to also give their maximum support to the new GOC to achieve even more than what he has achieved. He expressed his sincere appreciation to the COAS for the opportunity to have served in the elite 6 Division, NA.
Major General Emekah has taken over from Major General Jamal Abdussalam who has been redeployed to Army Headquarters, as the new Chief of Special Services Programmes.
Major General Emekah is a member of the 42 Regular Course of the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy. He has held significant command, staff and instructional appointments. He was Commander, of the then 707 Special Forces Brigade, Makurdi as well as one time Commander 17 Brigade, Katsina. He has also held staff and instructional appointments at different times. Prior to his appointment as the GOC, he was Deputy Chief of Operations (Army) at Army Headquarters Department of Army Operations. Major General Emekah is a holder of Masters Degree in National Security and War Studies from National Defence University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
The highlights of the handing and taking over ceremony were the signing of the handing and taking over notes, decoration of the new GOC with the Division’s insignia, handing over of the Division’s Flag, presentation and inspection of Quarter Guards as well as group photographs.
DANJUMA JONAH DANJUMA
Lieutenant Colonel
Acting Deputy Director
6 Division Army Public Relations
24 January 2025
