PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has decorated the newly appointed service chiefs with their new ranks.
News Point Nigeria reports that the short ceremony took place in the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The new Chief of Defence Staff, (formerly Lieutenant General) Olufemi Oluyede, was decorated with the new rank of General.
The new Chief of Army Staff, (formerly Major General) Wahidi Shaibu, was decorated with the rank of Lieutenant General, the Chief of Naval Staff, (formerly Rear Admiral) Idi Abbas, was decorated as Vice Admiral, while the Chief of Air Staff, (formerly Air Vice Marshal) Kelvin Aneke, was decorated with the rank of Air Marshall.
The Chief of Defence Intelligence, (formerly Major General) Emmanuel Undiendeye, who was retained by the President, was elevated to the rank of Lieutenant General.
Tinubu charged them to carry out their duties with patriotic zeal as Nigerians are in a hurry to celebrate peace and expect results, not excuses.
Speaking during the decoration ceremony for the service chiefs, the President urged them to be innovative, pre-emptive, and courageous.
He also advised them to work together, deploying technology where necessary, and defeat the enemy once and for all.
“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. I charge you, as the heads of our nation’s armed forces, to carry out your duties with patriotic zeal.
“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,” he told them.
General Olufemi Oluyede, speaking on behalf of the service chiefs, pledged to combat terrorism and criminality to ensure Nigeria’s safety and economic growth.
He also pledged their loyalty to the President and support for democracy.
Wives of the new service chiefs were by the side of their husbands to assist in the decoration.
Also present at the Council Chamber to witness the brief ceremony were the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima; President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
Others were the Deputy President of the Senate, Jubril Barau; the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, among others.
The new service chiefs had earlier met President Bola Tinubu after their appointment.
They were screened and confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday, after a two-hour closed-door session where senators questioned the nominees on their plans to strengthen national security and reform the armed forces.
After the screening, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, later put the question for their confirmation to a voice vote, which was unanimously approved by the upper chamber.
He then commended the President for the selection, stressing that nominees possess the experience and credibility required to reposition the military.