It is always stated that military personnel are known for their strength, will and agility awarding of medals will continue to stand as one of the best ways cherish, honor, and preserve military traditions. Medals and Decorations may be awarded for actions during operations either internal or external the country’s territory in a bid to defend its citizens or comrades, such awards and medals are earned based on actions and contributions during the course operations.
For the Nigerian Armed Forces, service medals, awards and decorations have been earned by personnel both serving and retired who have one way or the other contributed immensely to the National security and other operations as it concerns keeping the country and its citizens safe from internal or external aggressions. One spectacular example is a one-time Defense Attaché Moscow, Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adebukanla Adesanya who has showcased a high sense of patriotism.
The senior Air Force Officer has over the years served in a different capacity, ranging from engineering, command, instructor, combat, staff and military-diplomatic appointments. As an Aircraft Engineering Officer, he has served at various NAF bases like Yola, Kainji, Kaduna and Lagos. Upon his return back to Nigeria after his tenure as the defense attaché he Moscow, he was appointed the Managing Director Aeronautical Technical Service Limited where he is currently serving.
As an experienced officer who has participated in several operations, within and outside Nigeria’s borders, AVM Adesanya has earned medals that showcases his extraordinary contributions as the Officer Commanding of the Alpha Jet Engineering Squadron during the ECOMOG Operations in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. He also participated in other internal operations in the country which include, Operation FOREST STORM, Operation RUWAN WUTA, Operation THUNDER STRIKE and Operation DIRAN MIKIYA amongst others.
Having served for over 30 years in the Nigerian Air Force with an exemplary and blemish free record, AVM Olatokunbo bagged the Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service Star honor, Distinguished Service Star, Grand Service Star, Silver Eagle Award, Silver Jubilee Medal, Golden Jubilee Medal and the Centenary Medal. The officer has not just distinguished himself in areas of operations and field work, he has also excelled in academic field which also earned him Academic awards such as, passed staff course dagger, Fellow Superior War College Brazil and Fellow Chartered Administrators’ Institute.
No doubt, service medals, honors and awards are capable of building a determined achiever. These honors give a higher sense of achievement and validate the receiver’s accomplishments. There are no two ways that these acknowledgment makes the personnel career-driven and more responsible. Younger officers who aspire to get to the top needs to ensure hard work, gallantry performance, great leadership skills and responsibility, this no doubt takes years of hard work to get higher ranks like Medal of Honor. Also, not everyone is lucky enough to receive the top medal ranks. The officers have to perform tirelessly and fulfill different criteria to get the next medal in the hierarchy.