Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has welcomed the appointment of new service chiefs.
Zulum also expressed gratitude to the outgoing service chiefs, particularly the Chiefs of Army, and the Air Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai and Air Marshal Abubakar Sadique with whom the Borno government have worked more closely in the fight against Boko Haram.
President Muhammadu Buhari had announced on Tuesday, that he had accepted the resignation of his (now retired) service chiefs, and had appointed Major General Lucky Irabor as Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru as Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo as Chief of Naval Staff and Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao as the Chief of Air Staff.
A press statement issued by the governor’s spokesman, Isa Gusau, quotes Governor Zulum as saying, “The outgoing service chiefs have been with us in the last six years, and during these eventful and challenging years, they immensely contributed to the ongoing peacebuilding efforts, through the fight against Boko Haram, and they helped in other developmental efforts.
“Our rebuilding and resettlement efforts are only possible, because of the combined efforts of Lieutenant-General Buratai as Chief of Army Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar as Chief of Air Staff, of course with so much contribution from other service chiefs and volunteers.
“We can’t ignore the huge contributions, but then, as we all know, everything has an appointed time. We thank all the outgoing service chiefs for their contributions and we wish them the best in their future endeavors.
“As for the incoming, especially, General L.E.O Irabor, who is the Chief of Defence Staff and General Attahiru, the COAS, both of whom have worked in Borno as Theatre Commanders of Operation Lafiya Dole, they know all the issues and I am sure they will hit the ground running. The Borno State Government will accord them the same maximum support given their predecessors.
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“Borno will continue with its roles at supporting the military with logistics as have been going on and will sustain the mobilization of communities for intelligence gathering, funding operations of thousands of volunteers, praying for the troops and volunteers at the front lines, and supporting their families,” Zulum said.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
