President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially decorated the newly appointed service chiefs with their ranks at a ceremony held inside the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The event, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and the spouses of the officers, saw the president confer new ranks on the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Wahidi Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke; and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas.
Speaking during the ceremony, President Tinubu congratulated the officers on their appointments and Senate confirmations, urging them to uphold the highest standards of loyalty, innovation, and commitment to national security.
He said the ceremony symbolised more than just decoration but marked the beginning of a renewed effort to secure the nation and protect its citizens.
“Security is an essential element without which everything else is rendered meaningless. 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,” Tinubu stated.
The president praised the military’s sacrifices in reclaiming territories previously held by insurgents and restoring peace to affected communities.
“Our military has remained steadfast in defending our nation’s territorial integrity, with many soldiers paying the ultimate price. In dark times, when terrorists and armed marauders held significant portions of our land, our gallant armed forces rose to the challenge and reclaimed those occupied territories,” he said.
While commending the military for its patriotism and dedication, the president warned that emerging security threats in parts of the North-Central, North-West, and South must be confronted with urgency.
“Of grave concern to our administration is the recent emergence of new armed groups. We must not allow these threats to fester. We must be decisive and proactive. Let us smash the new snakes right in the head,” Tinubu declared.
He urged the service chiefs to be innovative and pre-emptive in tackling insecurity, stressing the need to deploy modern technology and intelligence in operations.
Tinubu assured the officers of his administration’s full support to ensure the success of their mandate.
“I promise to provide all the support you need to get the job done. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria and keep our armed forces safe,” he added.
