President Bola Tinubu on Thursday formally decorated Nigeria’s newly appointed service chiefs, urging them to act with urgency, innovation, and courage in order to dismantle emerging security threats and restore lasting peace to the nation.
The ceremony, held at the Council Chambers of the State House in Abuja, saw General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Vice Admiral Idi Abass, and Air Marshal Kevin Aneke receive their ranks as Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, and Chief of Air Staff, respectively.
In an emphatic speech, President Tinubu declared the decoration was more than a ceremonial gesture but a symbolic launch of a renewed national effort to secure peace and stability across Nigeria. “Today’s ceremony is beyond the symbolism of decoration,” he declared. “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.”
Highlighting that security is the foundation of national development, the President emphasised, “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 praised the armed forces for their patriotism, diligence, and success in reclaiming territories from terrorists and rescuing kidnapped citizens. “To General Shaibu, I understand you were injured, you recuperated. I saw so many stories, clips online of Operation Hadin Kai. All of you, working together as a team, has made the country proud.”
Yet, President Tinubu warned sharply about the recent emergence of new armed groups in the North-Central, North-West, and South regions, stressing that these threats must not be allowed to grow. “We must smash the new snakes right in the head. We need to clean them up, clear them out, and make our nation safe again,” he insisted. “Nigerians expect visible results, not excuses. We are in a hurry to celebrate peace.”
He charged the service chiefs to be innovative and pre-emptive, to deploy technology where necessary, and to collaborate proactively with other security agencies. “Let’s stay ahead of those who seek to threaten our peace, freedom and stability. We cannot allow the crisis that began in 2009 to persist any longer. It is time to defeat the enemies,” Tinubu said firmly.
President Tinubu closed with a promise of full support to the service chiefs and prayers for the armed forces’ safety, saying, “I promise to provide all the support you need to get the job done.” He ended with a solemn blessing, “May God continue to keep our armed forces safe,” underlining the patriotic resolve needed to bring peace and security to the nation once and for all.
The decorated Chief of Defence Staff, Oluyede, speaking on behalf of his colleagues, pledged unwavering loyalty and commitment to ridding Nigeria of all forms of criminality to create a safer environment where socio-economic activities can flourish.
The CDS who thanked their families for the support added, “But in all, I want to thank all Nigerians for the support they give to the armed forces, and I expect that they give us more so that we can make Nigeria safer.
“I want to assure Mr President and all Nigerians today that we’ll do all our utmost best to ensure that we rid Nigeria of all forms of criminality and make Nigeria safer to ensure socio-economic endeavours can thrive.
“We pledge our loyalty to Mr President, and we assure you that we will continue to support the flourishing democracy and support all your government aspirations to make Nigeria better. That’s our pledge for you today, long live Nigeria.”
Oluyede assured Nigerians of the armed forces’ commitment to making the country safer following President Tinubu’s directive during the decoration ceremony of the new service chiefs.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the event, Oluyede reiterated the promise made earlier to do the utmost in ensuring national security.
“Well, I’m sure you heard when I made my remarks that I assured Nigerians we are going to do our very best to make Nigeria safer,” he said. “That was emphasised by Mr President, who charged us to do everything possible to ensure we make Nigeria better secured, and that I can promise Nigerians that we are going to do.”
He recalled the President’s reference to terrorism as a challenge persisting since 2009 and emphasised the determination of the armed forces to bring it to an end. “Mr President noted that terrorism, for instance, has been with us since 2009. He said it’s important that we bring that to an end. We are going to do our very best with the support of Mr President, the government, and the good people of Nigeria,” he remarked.
Stressing the crucial role of citizens, the CDS appealed for nationwide cooperation: “For everybody, I believe security should be our business, and without the support of Nigerians, we can hardly achieve anything. So I want to urge Nigerians of all ethnicities to please support us, and at the end of the day, I believe we will make Nigeria safer. That’s my promise to Nigeria. Thank you very much.”
The decoration ceremony began promptly at 1:28 p.m. with General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), receiving his insignia. He was followed by Lieutenant General Emmanuel Undiendeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), at 1:34 p.m.
Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), was decorated at 1:44 p.m., Vice Admiral Idi Abass, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), at 1:51 p.m., and Air Marshal Kevin Aneke, Chief of Air Staff (CAS), at 1:56 p.m. The President was assisted during the ceremony by the service chiefs’ spouses.
Distinguished guests at the event included Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abass, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and Head of Service of the Federation Didi Walson-Jackson.
Security and governance leaders present also featured National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Minister of Defence Abubakar Badaru, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Inspector General of Police, DG DSS, DG NIA, DG EFCC, and DG NIMC, among others.
Credit: The Sun