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LAGOS – Major-General Gbadewole, the Assistant Commander to Late Brigadier-General Adetunji Idowu Olurin in the ECOMOG, Liberia, has expressed his sadness on how his boss was demoted from Major-General to Brigadier-General shortly after he (Olurin) had a successful military exploit in Liberia.
Gen. Gbadewole stated this while paying tribute during the Service of Songs & Night of Tributes held for the late Gen. Olurin on Thursday, September 23, 2021 at the Officer’s Mess, 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Marina Road, Lagos.
He explained that the Late General Adetunji Olurin left the shore of Nigeria to lead the UN Peace Keeping troop in Liberia as a Major-General, and not as a Brigadier-General, saying, “Late Adetunji Olurin have been serving as Major-General in the Nigerian Army before he went ahead to raise high the country’s Green White Green in Liberia as the Commander.
In his words, “True to his nature and commitment, Major-General Adetunji Idowu Olurin fought the Liberian war and won it to liberate Liberia from the rebels.
”it would be recalled that, Gen. Adetunji Olurin’s aircraft landed in Sierra Leone, and right there, far off from the battle field in Liberia, he started to command the officers at the war-front in Liberia by which the rebels were indefinitely contained.
“Its no longer news that Gen. Adetunji Olurin led ECOMOG liberated Liberia, but how he did it remained a puzzle to me as his Assistant Commander”.
Major-General Gbadewole stated further, “Haven done Nigeria great, by the time Gen. Olurin returned to Nigeria, the powers that be asked him to drop a rank, and become a Brigadier-General instead of getting recognition and honour in addition to his existing rank of Major-General.
“But it was sad to note that the late intelligent and seasoned administrator could be demoted just like that. It was sad that someone who have done our nation proud could be paid back in such manner.
“However, the US, UK, ECOMOG had recognized, addressed and held him in high esteem as Major-General Adetunji Olurin while Nigeria only refered to him as Brigadier-General Olurin.
“As if that’s not enough, the late Major-General Olurin was confined to his farm in Ilaro-Yewa, because the authority then insinuated he has become a threat.”
The Army Generals, both serving and retired while also paying their tributes referred to the Galant Officer as Major-General Adetunji Idowu Olurin against the Military that still officially addressed him as “Brigadier General Adetunji Olurin”.
His course mates and colleagues at the ceremony poured encomiums on the late Major-General Adetunji Idowu Olurin, describing him as a patriot who lived his life for the unity and sovereignty of, not only Nigeria, but the world at large.
