General of Nigerian Army bags Guinea-Bissau Award

Brig.-Gen. Al-hassan Grema of the Nigerian Army has been awarded the National Order of Merit, Cooperation and Development Medal of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau by President Umaro Embaló.

When the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB) was first deployed to Guinea Bissau in April 2022, Brig.-Gen. Grema served as the Force Commander.

Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, the acting director of defence information, announced on Saturday that the general received the honour on September 27 at the Presidential Palace in Bissau.

According to Gusau, the country’s failed coup attempt on February 1, 2022, during which the President and his cabinet were attacked at the Palacio do Governo while holding a meeting, forced the deployment of Grema.

He said that throughout the ESSMGB’s 17-month leadership of Gen. Grema, Guinea Bissau was stabilised and peace and stability were maintained.

“Many sources claim that the ESSMGB’s presence helped the fragile West African nation maintain a climate of peace and security, as shown by the sharp rise in economic activity and the influx of international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) and international organisations.

“A number of nations, including the US, are also attempting to reopen their embassies and offices in Bissau.

President Embalo showered Grema with praise and best wishes during the award ceremony, which was highly attended by the military and political elite of Guinea-Bissau, the source said.

Gusau claimed that Grema had received praise for bringing honour to Nigeria from the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa.

He claims that the CDS urged other commanders leading other international operations to follow the senior officer’s shining example. (NAN)