The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Farouq Yahaya has promoted a private soldier to lance corporal for excellent performance while executing a task far above his rank.

A statement by Director Army Public Relations Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu on Monday, said the promotion came as a result of the professional military skills displayed by the soldier at a regimental Quarter Guard while leading a parade during COAS’ operational visit to Command Engineering Depot in Kaduna. 

Nwachukwu said, “Decorating the Private soldier with his new badge of rank, the COAS said the soldier who was the Acting Quarter Guard Sergeant had performed his duty far above expectation.  

The promotion, he said, was a reward for outstanding performance as an Acting Quarter Guard Sergeant to spur others to always display a high sense of professionalism in whatever task they are assigned to perform. 

He added that this will not only improve the system, but also guarantee success in all military Operations.

What you should know 

In the Nigerian army, it takes a Private soldier five years to be promoted Lance Corporal. Mr Mohammed still has about three years more to be due for the promotion.

By the military order of ranks, a Quarter Guard Sergeant is a field rank or office manned by a sergeant. But due to the shortage of sergeants in many of the military posts, any soldier of any lower rank can act as Quarter Guard Sergeant. But it is rare to have an unranked private soldier accomplishing such a task without flops.

Mr Mohammed, who was under three years old in the Nigerian Army, had to step in to perform the task that requires a soldier with 16 years of experience to accomplish.

Sources familiar with the military ranking system said it takes courage and rare confidence for even senior non-commissioned officers to stand and lead a parade before the COAS. But Mr Mohammed did his assigned task excellently.