From Barracks to Palace: Maj Gen Babalola Blends Military Oversight with Royal Diplomacy in Epe

In continuation of his ongoing familiarization tour of formations and units within 81 Division Area of Responsibility, on 18 February 2026, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Major General Adebayo Babalola visited the Nigerian Army Ordinance School(NAOS), 25 Support Engineer Regiment (SER) and 81 Base Ordnance Depot (BOD) and also pays homage to the Oloja of Epe.

According to a statement by Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 81 Division Nigerian Army “Upon arrival at Epe, the GOC proceeded to the NAOS and was received by the Commandant, Maj Gen AJ Aliyu who congratulated him on his appointment as the 26th GOC 81 Division and wished him a successful tour of duty. The GOC thanked the Commandant for the reception and sought his support and cooperation.

Thereafter, the GOC proceeded to 25 SER where he was briefed by the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel ST Enye, on the achievements, challenges, and future prospects of the unit. The visit to the Regiment concluded with the significant planting of trees by the GOC.

At 81 BOD, the GOC was received by the Acting Commanding Officer, Major OL Okonkwo, who also briefed on the activities of the unit. The GOC was subsequently conducted on a tour of the Base Ordnance Depot stores before addressing a combined troops of 25 SER and 81 BOD.

During his address to officers and soldiers of both units, the GOC stated that his visit was to familiarize himself with the units and also deliver the goodwill message of the Chief of Army Staff following his recent assumption of command as the General Officer Commanding 81 Division.

He emphasised that he had already been briefed by the Commanding Officers on the challenges facing the Cantonment and assured the troops that necessary steps would be taken to address them. He further enjoined the personnel to remain disciplined and professional, stressing that good soldiers must always obey laid-down rules and regulations.

He however warned troops to desist from any form of illegal activities, emphasizing that anyone found culpable would be decisively dealt with. He added that he would not hesitate to hold commanders accountable if they failed to discipline erring personnel under their command.

Maj Gen Babalola GOC used the opportunity of his visit to pay homage to His Royal Majesty, Kamorudeen Animashaun, the Oloja of Epe and paramount ruler of Epe Kingdom, where he expressed appreciation for the monarch’s continuous support and hospitality to Nigerian Army units within Epe. He appealed to the kingdom to sustain its cooperation with the Division in the collective effort to enhance security in Lagos State.

Responding, His Royal Majesty, thanked the GOC for the visit and assured that the kingdom would continue to work closely with the Division towards the successful discharge of its constitutional responsibilities of safeguarding lives and property across its Area of Responsibility.

The GOC was accompanied on the visit by some formation commanders and staff officers of the Division.