Jamila Malafa, native of Gombi local government in Adamawa state, made history this week when she was decorated with the rank of commodore, which is equivalent to the rank of a brigadier-general in the Nigeria Army.
Mrs Malafa, who was the first female military officer of the northern extraction, was commissioned in 1990.
According to Henry Babalola, chief of policy and plans, COPP, at the naval headquarters in Abuja, the attainment was a thing of joy.
He said there were a few women who had achieved such height in the nation’s armed forces, adding that her success was as a result of training exposures afforded her by the Nigerian Navy.
He expressed hope that her historical elevation will serve as an inspiration to women in the folk of the armed forces and ensure that there is no limit to the heights they can achieve in their chosen careers.
“I am the first female of northern extraction to be promoted to the rank of a General in the Nigerian Navy.
“The promotion will inspire me to be more loyal and dedicated in my duties to the Navy and Nigeria,” Mrs Malafa said.