…charges them to be innovative, pre-emptive
…says emerging groups must not be allowed to fester
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, decorated the newly appointed Service Chiefs with their new ranks, charging them on the need to be innovative, pre-emptive and act with courage always.
The President who stated that he was entrusting them with “a tremendous responsibility”, also, urged them to approach their new assignments “with the highest standards of commitment and dedication.”
The President said the event marks the beginning of a renewed effort to ensure the peace and security of all Nigerians, adding that each of them has been carefully selected for this critical task ahead.
“Security is an essential element without which everything else is rendered meaningless. There cannot be sufficient development if this fundamental aspect of human need is unmet. Our people and our nation must remain secure to enjoy the benefits of governance.
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“The government’s foremost duty is to protect the citizens. Over the years, our military has remained steadfast in defending our nation’s territorial integrity, with many soldiers paying the ultimate price for their service. In dark times, when terrorists and armed marauders held significant portions of our land, our gallant armed forces rose to the challenge and reclaimed those occupied territories.
“We have restored peace to many areas previously under siege, rescued countless kidnapped citizens, and significantly diminished the capacity of the terror groups,” he said.
The President, while appreciating the efforts of the security agencies, however, noted that “challenges remain.”
According to him “Security threats are constantly evolving, constantly mutating. Of grave concern to our administration is the recent emergence of new armed groups in the North-Central, North-West, and parts of the South. We must not allow these new threats to fester. We must be decisive and proactive. Let us smash the new snakes right in the head.”
President Tinubu charge the new heads of the nation’s armed forces, to carry out their duties with patriotic zeal, adding that “Nigerians expect results, not excuses.”
“I charge you also to be innovative, pre-emptive, and courageous. Let’s stay ahead of those who seek to threaten our peace. Let us deploy technology where necessary. We cannot allow the crisis that began in 2009 to persist any longer.”
The President had earlier decorated the newly appointed service chiefs with their new ranks.
The brief ceremony took place at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
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The decorations came on the heels of recent screening and confirmation by the Senate.
With the decoration, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede becomes a full General.
Major-General Wahidi Shaibu was elevated to the rank of Lieutenant General, as the new Chief of Army Staff.
Similarly, Air Vice Marshall Sunday Aneke, the Chief of Air Staff now becomes Air Marshall, while Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, the new Chief of Naval Staff moves to the rank of Admiral.
Oluyede, the new Chief of Defence Staff, while speaking with Journalists after the ceremony, assured Nigerians that the new Service Chiefs will do their best to make Nigeria safer.
“Mister President noted that terrorism, for instance, have been with us since 2009 he said that it’s important that will bring it to an end. We’re going to do our very best with the support of Mister President, the government and the good people of Nigeria, because for everybody, I believe security should be our business, and without the support of Nigerians, we hardly achieve anything,” he said.
The new CDS therefore enjoined “Nigerians of all ethnicities to please support us, and at the end of the day, I believe we will make Nigeria safer. That’s our promise to you.”
