President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday held a closed-door meeting with the newly appointed service chiefs at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The new military heads, led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt-General Olufemi Oluyede, arrived at the Villa around 4:00 pm in a black Mercedes van escorted by a green Toyota Land Cruiser.
Others present at the meeting were the Chief of Army Staff, Maj-General W. Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral I. Abbas; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke; and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj-General E.A.P. Undiendeye.
Okay News reports that President Tinubu recently approved sweeping changes in the military hierarchy as part of his administration’s efforts to strengthen national security and improve coordination among the armed forces.
A statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, explained that the move was “in furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture.”
According to the statement, General Olufemi Oluyede replaced General Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff, while Major-General W. Shaibu was appointed Chief of Army Staff. Rear Admiral I. Abbas now serves as the Chief of Naval Staff, and Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke takes over as Chief of Air Staff. Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye retains his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
“The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expresses his most profound appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and the other service chiefs for their patriotic service and dedicated leadership,” Dare stated.
During the meeting, President Tinubu charged the new service chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them by enhancing professionalism, unity, and vigilance across all branches of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
