The United States Navy has awarded a Nigerian officer, Lt. Victor Agunbiade its medal of commendation for his meritorious service. Victor Agunbiade is a Nigerian currently serving as a U.S. Navy Reserve supply officer at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti after emigrating to southern Minnesota from Nigeria.
He was awarded the medal for judiciously managing the U.S. Navy’s largest oversea disbursement. The U.S. Navy said Agunbiade effectively managed its largest cash disbursing office handling $45 million (N17 billion) in a cash transaction.
This is not the first time the Lieutenant is getting special recognition in the U.S. Navy. In 2018, he was named the Navy’s 2018 Officer Recruiter of the Year, alongside 17 others, and was honored at the annual Recruiter of the Year ceremony in Washington D.C.
The award certificate partly read thus:
“Meritorious service while serving as disbursing officer, comptroller department, Camp Lemmonier, Djibouti from October 2019 to July 2020 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Overseas Contingency Freedom.
Demonstrating superior leadership, Lieutenant Agunbiade managed the navy’s largest cash disbursing office with $45m in cash transaction accounting for approximately 70 per cent of the navy’s overseas disbursing volume. Additionally, he maintained 100 per cent accountability of $23m across six rigorous inspections and independent audit with zero discrepancies.
By his unswerving determination, wise judgment and complete dedication to duty, Lieutenant Agunbiade reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”
Agunbiade got enlisted in the Navy as a storekeeper in 2008 and was commissioned as an officer in 2013. During an interview with DVIDS earlier this year, Agunbiade acknowledged his success in the Navy to the lessons he learned in Nigeria and his adopted hometown of Lake Crystal. He said:
“One key lesson in life is to treat people with respect. Always give your best in what you do—my dad taught me that.”
He joined the Navy 12 years ago as an enlisted member and became a U.S. citizen a year later, “While I didn’t join for that reason, becoming a citizen has been a blessing and a bonus and I’m proud to have given back to the Navy”, he added.
