By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) in Abuja has celebrated the remarkable career and contributions of its immediate past Director General, Major General Garba Ayodeji Wahab (Retired), Ph.D., with a grand send-forth ceremony held in his honour. The event was a tribute to Wahab’s exemplary service, visionary leadership, and enduring impact on the Centre, which he steered through a period of renewal and transformation.
In his opening remarks, the new Director General of NARC, Retired Major General James Gwom Kataps Myam, lauded his predecessor as a shining star who brought stability, clarity, and direction to the Centre at a critical juncture. He recalled that Wahab, though already retired from active military service, was recalled six years ago to lead NARC at a time when it faced daunting institutional challenges. “Under his stewardship, the Centre experienced renewed stability, sharpened focus, and stronger alignment with its mission,” General Myam declared.
Having previously served under Wahab as Executive Director of NARC Consult, General Myam spoke personally of the profound influence of his predecessor’s mentorship. He described Wahab’s leadership as both transformative and nurturing, crediting him with expanding the Centre’s programmes, strengthening partnerships, and embedding a culture of excellence that has positioned NARC as a leading think-tank for the Nigerian Army and the wider defence community.
The ceremony was punctuated by glowing tributes from colleagues, academics, and traditional institutions. Professor Okey Ikechukwu, in his remarks, described Wahab as a leader who defied categorisation, noting that his strength lay in knowing when to apply firmness, negotiation, consultation, or transformation. He praised Wahab’s composure, intellectual depth, and humility, recalling that under his leadership, NARC remained operational throughout the COVID-19 pandemic without losing a single day of productivity.
Also speaking, Dr. Lebeti Grace of the Nigerian Defence Academy highlighted Wahab’s fairness, humility, and depth of knowledge. As a young female professional, she recalled being treated strictly on the basis of competence and professionalism, a gesture that gave her confidence to thrive. “He judged only by performance, never by gender, and that made all the difference in my career,” she said.
The Ilorin Emirate lent further weight to the occasion with a delegation led by the Dhammasani of Ilorin, Engineer Sulaiman Yahya Alaafon Sapa, who represented the Emir of Ilorin, His Royal Highness Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari. The Dhammasani extolled Wahab’s values of integrity, honour, and discipline, recalling his consistency in leadership from his school days through his distinguished military career. He offered prayers from the Holy Qur’an for continued guidance, strength, and success in Wahab’s post-retirement endeavours.
In his response, General Wahab expressed deep gratitude to the Nigerian Army, the staff of NARC, and his colleagues for their unwavering support throughout his tenure. He described the array of tributes as profoundly humbling and attributed his achievements to teamwork and collective effort. He urged the officers and staff of NARC to continue to build on the foundations laid by fostering communication, collaboration, and professional networking, which he described as the cornerstones of sustainable institutional progress.
The send-forth was graced by an impressive array of dignitaries, including 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; Director of Plans at the Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal R.R. Olanrewaju; commanders of various military institutions; partners of the Centre; an entourage from the Ilorin Emirate; and Adewale Ajadi, who represented King’s College London, United Kingdom.
The event was not only a fitting celebration of Major General Wahab’s legacy but also a reaffirmation of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre’s role as a strategic hub for research, training, and policy innovation in Nigeria’s defence sector. His stewardship, marked by stability, inclusivity, and intellectual rigour, has left an indelible imprint on the institution and the broader defence community.
