By Bavoriat Clara
The Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) in Abuja has held a grand send-forth ceremony in honour of its immediate past Director General, Major General Garba Ayodeji Wahab (Retired), Ph.D., in recognition of his outstanding leadership and contributions to the growth and repositioning of the Centre.
Speaking at the event, the new Director General of NARC, Retired Major General James Gwom Kataps Myam, described his predecessor as a shining star whose tenure transformed the Centre. He recalled that Wahab, who had already retired from active service, was recalled about six years ago to provide leadership at a time when the Centre faced major institutional challenges. Under his stewardship, NARC experienced renewed stability, sharpened focus, and stronger alignment with its mission.
General Myam, who had previously served under Wahab as Executive Director of NARC Consult, noted that his personal development was shaped by Wahab’s mentorship. He commended his predecessor for expanding the Centre’s programmes, strengthening partnerships, and embedding a culture of excellence that positioned NARC as a vital think-tank for the Nigerian Army and the wider defence community.
Tributes at the ceremony reflected the depth of Wahab’s influence as both a soldier and a scholar. Professor Okey Ikechukwu described him as a leader who could not be confined to a single label, noting that his strength lay in knowing when to apply transformation, firmness, negotiation, or consultation. He highlighted Wahab’s composure, intellectual depth, and humility, while also pointing out that under his leadership, NARC sustained operations during the COVID-19 pandemic without losing a single day of productivity.
Dr. Lebeti Grace of the Nigerian Defence Academy praised Wahab’s fairness, humility, and knowledge, stressing that as a young female professional, she was treated by him strictly on the basis of competence and professionalism. She said this encouraged her growth and gave her the confidence to excel in her career.
The event also witnessed a strong royal presence, as the Ilorin Emirate sent a delegation led by the Dhammasani of Ilorin, Engineer Sulaiman Yahya Alaafon Sapa, representing the Emir of Ilorin, His Royal Highness Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari. In his remarks, the Dhammasani extolled Wahab’s values of integrity, honour, and discipline, recalling his consistency in leadership from his school days through his military career. He offered prayers from the Holy Qur’an for continued guidance and success in Wahab’s post-retirement years.
In his response, General Wahab thanked the Nigerian Army, the staff of NARC, and his colleagues for their support, describing the tributes as deeply humbling. He emphasised that his achievements were the result of teamwork and collective effort, while urging officers and staff to sustain communication, collaboration, and professional networking as a way of building lasting institutional progress.
Those present at the event included the Chief of Training (Army), Major General A.S. Ndalolo; Chief of Administration (Army), Major General L.A. Fejokwu; Chief of Defence Space Administration, Air Vice Marshal L.I. Oluwatoyin; Air Vice Marshal R.R. Olanrewaju, Director of Plans at the Headquarters Nigerian Air Force; commanders of various military institutions; NARC partners; an entourage from the Ilorin Emirate; and Adewale Ajadi, who represented King’s College London, United Kingdom.
The ceremony not only celebrated the career and achievements of Major General Wahab but also reaffirmed the Nigerian Army Resource Centre’s role as a strategic hub for research, training, and policy innovation in Nigeria’s defence sector.
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