The appointment of Major-Gen. Isidore Henry Edet, an indigene of Uko Akpan, Enwang, the headquarters of Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, as the new General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lagos, has been described as “God’s appointed”, “revelation of hard work” and “well deserved.”

In his reaction, an elated Caretaker Committee Chairman of Mbo Local Government Council, Mr. Cyril Etuk, expressed his delight over the appointment, predicting that Major-Gen. Isidore Edet would rise to a higher level, “having proved his worth in the Nigerian Army over the years”, stating that the government and people of Mbo would continue to celebrate the GOC more on what he called “his strategic appointment.”

He noted with pride that Mbo LGA had produced “outstanding personalities in different fields of endeavour, including the telecommunications guru, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem,” pointing out that apart from Major-Gen. Edet, Enwang community in particular, was blessed with a former Inspector General of Police (IGP), late Chief Etim Inyang, and a serving one-star Navy general, Commodore Etefik, as well as the appointed Commissioner representing Akwa Ibom State in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Etim Inyang Jr, among others.

A former Commissioner for Information in the state, and now, a community leader in Mbo LGA, Prince Chris Abasi-Eyo, described the new GOC as “a disciplined, no-nonsense and apolitical army officer” and expressed appreciation of the people to President Muhammadu Buhari for the “well deserved appointment”, noting that Gen. Edet was not only the first GOC from the Oro Nation, but also the only two-star general from the area.

He recalled that it was remarkable that it was “the same General Buhari that appointed the late IGP Etim Inyang, from the same Uko Akpan village as the Nigeria’s Police boss, 31 years ago.”

Major-Gen. Isidore Henry Edet’s younger brother, Rev. Fr. Patrick Henry Edet, said that he was not surprised in his elder brother’s elevation, stating that “he (Isidore) prepared for it. He is a revelation of God’s mercy, grace and favour. I’m very proud of him because it is not through lobbying.”

“We, as a family, were trained to depend on God and our individual selves. He is very hard working, meticulous, studious, strategic, reserved, conservative and professional. He spends a lot of personal money to develop himself in the army.” Rev. Fr. Patrick Edet, eulogised him.

News Express reports that this is the first time in 15 years that an Akwa Ibom State indigene has been appointed as a GOC, to command one of the six Divisions of the Nigerian Army in the country.

It would be recalled that, in the new postings released recently by the new Chief of Army Staff, Major-Gen. Tukur Buratai, Major-Gen. Isidore Henry Edet, who was promoted a two-star general in November 2014, was named the new General Officer Commanding (GOC) the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lagos.

Until this new appointment, Edet, was the Commander of the Nigerian Army Training Centre, Kontagora, Niger State. It is on records also, that the last time Akwa Ibom had a GOC, was in year 2000, when Major-Gen. Okon Edet Okon, from Itu Local Government Area of the state, was made the GOC, 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Ibadan.

Gen. Edet, who is said to be in his early 50s, started his life struggles as a primary school teacher in his teens, before enlisting into the Nigerian Army in the early 80s.

Major-Gen. Isidore Henry Edet, has assumed duty and taken over at his new Command headquarters in Lagos.

•Photo shows Major-Gen Butatai

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