President Bola Tinubu on Thursday decorated Nigeria’s newly appointed service chiefs with their ranks and charged them to act decisively, deploy technology, and “clear out” emerging threats to national security.
The ceremony, held at the Council Chambers of the State House in Abuja, formally decorated General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General Waheedi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff, and Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff.
Speaking at the event, President Tinubu said the occasion signified more than a ceremonial decoration describing it as the launch of a renewed national effort to restore peace and stability across the country.
“Today’s ceremony is beyond the symbolism of decoration,” Tinubu said. “It marks the beginning of our renewed effort to ensure the peace and security of all Nigerians. Each of you has been carefully selected for this critical task.”
He emphasised that security remains the foundation for national development. “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,” he said.
The President commended the Armed Forces for reclaiming territories once occupied by terrorists and rescuing kidnapped citizens. However, he warned that new armed groups are emerging in parts of the North-Central, North-West, and South, stressing that such threats must be eliminated swiftly.
“Of grave concern to our administration is the recent emergence of new armed groups,” Tinubu said. “We must not allow these threats to fester. We must be decisive and proactive, let us smash the new snakes right in the head. We need to clean them up, clear them out, and make our nation safe again.”
He told the Service Chiefs that Nigerians expect visible results, not excuses. “Be innovative, pre-emptive, and courageous. Let’s stay ahead of those who seek to threaten our peace. We cannot allow the crisis that began in 2009 to persist any longer,” the President said, assuring them of his administration’s full support.
“I promise to provide all the support you need to get the job done,” he added.
Speaking on behalf of the newly decorated officers, Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, thanked the President for his trust and pledged the loyalty of the armed forces.
“I want to assure Mr President and all Nigerians that we will do our utmost best to rid the country of all forms of criminality and make Nigeria safer so that socio-economic activities can thrive,” Oluyede said.
He also thanked Nigerians for their continued support for the military. “We pledge our loyalty to Mr. President and assure him that we will continue to support our flourishing democracy and all government aspirations to make Nigeria better,” he added.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
