Newly Appointed Service Chiefs Affirms Unwavering Commitment To National Security

The new service chiefs, appointed by President Bola Tinubu last weekend, were yesterday confirmed by the Senate, with the new Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede, calling on the Federal Government to empower the Police with adequate funding, so the force could relieve the military from internal security to concentrate on its constitutionally-assigned role.

He also called for adequate funding for the military to enable it to prosecute the war against terrorism effectively, adding that the Federal Government should prioritise local production of military equipment since reliance on imports is not sustainable.

The new Chief of Army Staff, General Waidi Shuaibu, vowed to deal decisively with the Lakurawa sect, which had terrorised some states in the country, especially in the North.

Also confirmed were Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, Chief Of Naval Staff, and Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Chief of Air Staff.

Meanwhile, confirmation of the service chiefs was sequel to a motion moved by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), who urged his colleagues to consider the request of the President’s nominees for appointment as Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs respectively, in accordance with Section 18 (1) of the Armed Forces Act.

Senator Bamidele had moved that since the Senate had earlier screened and cleared Oluyede for the position of Chief of Army Staff, there was no need for him to be screened any longer.

At this point, President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, overruled him, saying since the new CDS is being appointed into a new position, it is pertinent for him to speak to the senators about himself, his career and experience, especially as Chief of Army Staff.

Speaking when he appeared before the Senate for screening, Oluyede, who highlighted his over 30 years of military service, during which he obtained several professional qualifications and attended various strategic courses, described his tenure as Chief of Army Staff as challenging but noted that insecurity in Nigeria had reduced significantly under his watch.

He, however, stressed the need for greater support from Nigerians and increased resources for the military, lamenting that inadequate funding is limiting the fight against terrorism.