TheNewsGuru

Tag: Service Chiefs

  • Reps turn back Service Chiefs representatives

    Reps turn back Service Chiefs representatives

    The House of Representatives has turned back representatives of the Service Chiefs, insisting that the chiefs must appear before it on Nov. 21 as summoned.

    The Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, said this after receiving the representatives of the chiefs at plenary on Thursday.

    Abbas commended the representatives for appearing in the chamber, urging them to convey the message to the Service Chiefs for them to appear on Nov. 21 at 11 a. m.

    The House had summoned the service chiefs for a debate on security challenges in the country.

    But the lawmakers discovered that the service chiefs failed to attend personally by sending representatives to appear on their behalf.

    The Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, rising on constitutional order, said the constitution empowered the House to invite any person, not only for the purpose of investigation but also for dialogue.

    He said the service chiefs should have presented themselves before the house and not send representatives.

    “It is not satisfactory that they are not here in person. I want to move that these sectoral engagements be suspended until the service chiefs come to address us personally,” he said.

  • [Watch] President Tinubu decorates new service chiefs

    [Watch] President Tinubu decorates new service chiefs

    President Bola Tinubu on Monday in Abuja decorated the newly-appointed Service Chiefs with their new ranks at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, charging them to maintain teamwork to ensure peace and stability in the country.

    The Senate had previously confirmed their appointments before the ceremony.

    The newly-inaugurated service chiefs are: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, and Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.

    Speaking at the occasion, the President emphasised the importance of maintaining teamwork, which he credited for the gains recorded so far in the security sector.

    He commended the dedication, commitment and steadfastness displayed by the Armed Forces, acknowledging their significant contributions to the nation’s peace and stability.

    ”We have seen that we are recording positive results in our security challenges because of your dedication, commitment and steadfastness,” Tinubu said.

    He assured the new Service Chiefs that the government was committed to supporting them in their responsibilities.

    The President underscored the value of virtues such as positive team thinking, unity and selfless service to the nation, declaring that in spite of the current economic challenges, a better future awaits Nigeria.

    He urged all members of the Armed Forces to view themselves as one single family, regardless of their diversity.

    He also offered prayers for God’s blessings upon the Nigerian Armed Forces, wishing them peace, progress and success in their endeavours to protect the country’s territorial integrity.

    Tinubu emphasised the importance of honest service to the nation, which he said everyone in government, including the service chiefs, must embrace.

    He added that he is working very hard to solve the current economic challenges being faced by Nigerians.

    ”We are committed to serving you and not to rule over you,” the President said.

    Speaking on behalf of the Service Chiefs, Gen. Musa, expressed their unalloyed commitment to ensure the security and defence of the nation in their respective positions.

    He also pledged to uphold, with utmost dedication, the safety and well-being of the nation and its citizens.

    ”Our appointment is a clear manifestation of the confidence reposed in us and recognition of our humble abilities to deliver for our dear nation. We pledge to carry out our duties with utmost dedication and full loyalty.

    ”I assure Mr President that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is 100 per cent loyal to the government. We will go wherever we are ordered, whether by air, sea or land.

    ”We will ensure that Nigeria is projected in good light. May God bless Nigeria and guide the Armed Forces in our efforts to guard our nation’s territorial integrity, and ensure peace and security reigns supreme,” he said.

    The event was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Secretary to the Government of Federation, Sen. George Akume, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribabu, senior government officials, members of the immediate families of the Service Chiefs, and other heads of security and intelligence agencies in the country.

    Watch video:

  • Reps begin screening of Service Chiefs

    Reps begin screening of Service Chiefs

    The House of Representatives has began the screening of the newly appointed service chiefs by President Bola Tinubu.

    House Ad-hoc Committee on the Screening of Service Chief nominees, on Monday started the process with the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Christopher Musa and Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taureed Lagbaja

    The Chairman of the adhoc Committee, Rep. Babajimi Benson, said the exercise was a necessary constitutional provision in the process of institutionalizing and legitimizing the appointment of persons for the positions of service chiefs of the Armed Forces of country.

    According the Chairman, the House take the role seriously and always do it meticulously in accordance with its extant rules.

    “For more than sixteen years, Nigeria has witnessed diverse and unprecedented level of insecurity in which the Armed Forces have been fully involved, prompting the launch of several theatres of operations and exercises as well as providing support for tackling several domestic security challenges.

    “The House of Representatives is delighted with the successes recorded so far, especially in the last one year. We acknowledge these robust achievements which is a proof of the level of professionalism often displayed by our military in the discharge of their duties. We urge you to effectively collaborate with sister security agencies to ensure that all security threats are completely neutralized, and Nigerians can live peacefully”.

    The Committee Chairman also observed that new security threats are emerging across the globe, where wars are not only fought on the land, sea and air, but also in the cyberspace.

    He called on the need for Nigeria to harness the potential of having a Defence Space Force like in the United States of America.

    Rep. Benson also emphasize the need for a Defence Space Force to adequately handle potential threats from the cyber space and provide intelligence support to other services.

    He further assured the House resolve to work collectively to deliver more on the goals of the administration to drastically reduce cases of insecurity across the country, through legislative activities, rigorous oversight exercises, beginning from the screening, to ensure that the Armed Forces of Nigeria adhere strictly to the provisions of all Appropriation Acts as will be eventually passed by the National Assembly and accented to by the President.

    The Committee Chairman urged the service Chiefs to cooperate with the National Assembly while performing their constitutional duties of ensuring a peaceful, secure and prosperous country for all Nigerians.

    In their separate remarks, the nominees pledged their determination to transform the nation’s armed forces into a world class professional body to safeguard the country.

  • Senate confirms Service Chiefs

    Senate confirms Service Chiefs

    Senate on Thursday at plenary confirmed the appointment of Service Chiefs, nominated by President Bola Tinubu.

    Senates’ confirmation was sequel to the consideration and approval of a motion brought by Senate Majority leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidela (APC-Ekiti) on confirmation of the shortlisted service chiefs.

    The service chiefs confirmed are: Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa, Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, and Chief of Air Staff, AVM Hassan Abubakar.

    Before their confirmation, the Senate suspended its order 1b and rule 1b, to make provision for the admittance of strangers into its chamber.

    Those admitted into the chamber included the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Sen. Abdullahi Gumel, the nominated service chiefs and other strangers.

    Thereafter, the service chiefs took turn to highlight their career profile and professional experiences, before senate resolved into a close session that lasted for three hours for screening of the nominees.

    Earlier, Maj.-Gen. Musa, nominee for the Chief of Defence Staff, pledged the commitment of the Armed Forces to serve Nigerians in line with the dictates of the Constitution.

    He said his nomination was an opportunity to bring his vast experiences to bear for the security, protection of lives and properties of Nigerians, and pledged to do his best to justify the confidence reposed on him.

    Nominee for Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ogalla said he would put in his best to upgrade the standard he met, assuring Nigerians that he was fully prepared for the job.

    According to him, he will improve existing strategies and develop new ones to secure the nation’s maritime waters.

    Ogalla said he would collaborate with other services to secure the nation’s waterways, adding that he would initiate continuous monitoring and surveillance to achieve maximum result.

    The nominee for Chief of Air Staff, AVM Hassan Abubakar said he would mobilise the nation’s air power to ensure peace and security of the country, in line with the aspiration of the president.

    He commended the efforts of previous leaders of the air force, but said a lot more needs to be done to revamp the fighting capabilities of the Nigerian Air Force.

    Tinubu had in a letter addressed to President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio and read at plenary on Tuesday, sought approval of the Senate to confirm the service chiefs, in line with Section 18 (1) of the Armed Forces Act, 2004.

  • Reps constitute panel to screen Service Chiefs

    Reps constitute panel to screen Service Chiefs

    The House of Representatives has constituted an ad-hoc committee to screen the recently appointed Service Chiefs.

    Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, PhD who announced the setting up of the panel on Tuesday at plenary, said all the eight principal officers of the House from the majority and minority parties would be part of the ad-hoc committee.

    Speaker Abbas also announced the immediate past Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson, as the Clchairman of the committee.

    The Majority Caucus has Hon. (Prof.) Julius Ihonvbere (APC/Edo) as Majority Leader; Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims (APC/Kogi), Deputy Majority Leader; Hon. Bello Usman Kumo (APC/Kebbi), Chief Whip; and Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga (APC/Kogi) as Deputy Chief Whip.

    The Minority Caucus equally has Hon. Kingsley Chinda (PDP/Rivers) as Minority Leader; Hon. Aliyu Sani Madaki (NNPP/Kano), Deputy Minority Leader; Hon. Ali Isa (PDP/Gombe), Minority Whip; and Hon. George Ozodinobi (LP/Anambra) as Deputy Minority Whip.

    The appointees billed for screening by the committee are the new Chief of Defense Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff and Chief of Air Staff.

    President Tinubu had on 19th June, 2023, approved the immediate retirement of all Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service and Advisers, and subsequently appointed their successors.

    The President had conveyed the nominations to the National Assembly via a letter dated 5th July, 2023, which was addressed to President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio; and Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, PhD.

    Among them were Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as National Security Adviser; Maj.-Gen. C.G Musa as Chief of Defence Staff; Maj.-Gen. T. A. Lagbaja as Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral E. A. Ogalla as Chief of Naval Staff; Air Vice Marshal H.B. Abubakar as Chief of Air Staff; DIG Kayode Egbetokun as Acting Inspector-General of Police; and Maj.-Gen. EPA Undiandeye – Chief of Defense Intelligence.

    The President consequently communicated the appointments to the Senate and the House to seek their confirmation by the National Assembly.

    The president’s letter read: “In compliance with the provisions of Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act. CAP A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, I am pleased to present, for confirmation by the Senate/House, the four nominees listed below as Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “Maj. Gen. C.G Musa, Chief of Defence Staff; Maj. Gen. T. A Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral E. A Ogalla Chief of Naval Staff and AVM H.B Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff.

    “The Senate/House of Representatives is invited to note the current security situation of our country which requires concerted efforts of both the legislature and the executive to ensure a well-protected nation. This informed the review of our Defence Architecture and appointment of new leaders to work in synergy with one another to achieve the level of optimal performance expected of the military.

    “While I hope that the request will receive the expeditious consideration and confirmation of the House of Representatives, Please accept, Rt. Hon. Speaker, the assurances of my highest consideration.”

  • Tinubu officially writes Senate to confirm service chiefs

    Tinubu officially writes Senate to confirm service chiefs

    President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday sought the approval of the Senate for confirmation of newly nominated service chiefs.

    Tinubu’s request was contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and read at plenary.

    Tinubu in the letter said: “In compliance with the provisions of section 18 sub section 1 of the Armed Forces Act, 2004, I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate, the following nominees listed below as Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “Chief of Defence Staff, Maj. Gen. C.G Musa, Chief of Army Staff, Maj. T. A Lagbaja, Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of Air Staff, AVM H.B Abubakar.

    “The Senate is invited to note the current security situation of our country, which requires concerted efforts of both the legislative and the executive to ensure a well protected nation.

    “This informed the review of our defence architecture and appointment of new leaders to work in synergy with one another to achieve the level of optimal performance expected of the military.

    “While I hope that the request will receive the expeditious consideration and confirmation of the Nigerian Senate, please accept, distinguished Senate President and distinguished senators, the assurances of my highest consideration”.

  • JUST IN: Ribadu vows to accomplish the objective of securing Nigeria

    JUST IN: Ribadu vows to accomplish the objective of securing Nigeria

    Aftermath of the meeting with  President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on Monday has promised Nigerians that the security agencies will accomplish the objective of securing the country.

    Ribadu made the pledge when he led the newly appointed Service Chiefs and the acting Inspector General of Police to meet with Tinubu at Aso Rock.

    Tinubu had earlier told the new service chiefs, the National Security Adviser and the acting Inspector General of Police that they should work as a team and deliver on the mandate given to them.

    Ribadu while addressing journalists at the state house at the end of it meeting with Nigeria President said that Tinubu directed them to work as a team and deliver on their mandate.

    Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, he said, “We’re here to thank Mr President for the opportunity he gave us to serve our country and to serve his own government. We also pledged our loyalty to him, Nigeria and Nigerians.

    “We believe the choice he made is the right one, the correct one, and we know what he wants for this country.

    “We’re going to work tirelessly to ensure that we accomplish that objective of securing our country, establishing peace, stability and let’s get our lives back.

    “He gave us the assurance that he’s with us hundred percent. He told us that we must work as a team and that there’s work to be done; he’ll expect us to deliver and we’re grateful for the opportunity. That’s why we are here.”

    Asked what will be the starting point of the new security heads, NSA Ribadu said, “Where we are today and you can see already things are improving in our country.

    “If you see the record of crimes and activities of criminals are going down, it will continue to go down. We’ll secure this place.

    “Nigerians have seen the quality of the people that are given opportunity, they are probably some of the best we have and they are not going to fail you, they’ll certainly deliver.”

    TheNewsGuru.com TNG reports that Tinubu, service Chiefs and NSA are in a closed-Door meeting.

    In attendance were the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hassan Abubakar, and the Acting IGP, Kayode Egbetokun.

     

     

  • Tinubu meets security chiefs, NSA at state house

    Tinubu meets security chiefs, NSA at state house

    President Bola Tinubu is meeting with service chiefs and National Security Adviser {NSA}, Nuhu Ribadu at the State House, Abuja.

    They are Maj. Gen. C.G. Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, Maj. Gen. T.A. Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral E.A. Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff, AVM H.B. Abubakar, and Kayode Egbetokun, Acting Inspector-General of Police.

    It was learnt that the meeting began at 03:00 pm local time is Tinubu’s first known in-person engagement with the security helmsmen since their appointment on June 19.

    Recall that Tinubu had on June 19 removed all the service chiefs he met in office exactly three weeks after his inauguration and appointed new ones whom he directed to resume with immediate effect.

    Details later

  • Analysis: Timeline of ministerial list submissions to the Senate

    Analysis: Timeline of ministerial list submissions to the Senate

    In the wake of President Tinubu’s recent inauguration and appointments, Nigerians eagerly anticipate the announcement of his ministerial list.

    As history shows, the timing of submitting ministerial lists to the Senate has varied among past administrations.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) takes a look at the historical timeline of when Nigerian presidents sent their ministerial lists to the Senate following their respective inaugurations and discovered that while some administrations acted swiftly, others took more time to finalize their ministerial nominations.

    For example, former President Olusegun Obasanjo wasted no time, swiftly sending his ministerial list to the Senate on June 4, 1999, a mere six days after his inauguration.

    During his second term, Obasanjo followed a similar pattern, submitting the list on June 23, 2003, taking 25 days.

    The subsequent administration of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua exhibited a longer delay, taking 59 days before forwarding his ministerial list to the Senate on July 27, 2007.

    Under President Goodluck Jonathan, the trend returned to a relatively shorter duration. On June 28, 2011, Jonathan sent his ministerial list to the Senate, marking 30 days after his inauguration.

    The tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari, however, witnessed a significant delay in the submission of the ministerial list.

    It took a staggering 124 days for Buhari to present his list to the Senate, finally doing so on September 30, 2015.

    Considering this historical context, Nigerians are now curious about President Tinubu’s approach.

    In a significant development on Monday, President Tinubu took decisive steps to address the country’s security challenges by ordering the retirement of all military chiefs and making key appointments.

    The President’s decision to appoint major generals as new service chiefs has garnered significant attention and raised discussions about his aim to introduce fresh leadership and strategies to combat the security threats facing the nation.

    While the timeline for submitting his ministerial list to the Senate remains unknown, the red Chambers is currently adjourned until July 4.

  • Here is what you should know about the new Service Chiefs

    Here is what you should know about the new Service Chiefs

    President Bola Tinubu has appointed Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja as Chief of Army Staff.

    Tinubu also appointed Rear Adm. E.A Ogalla as Chief of Naval Staff and Air Vice Marshal Hassan Abubakar, as Chief of the Air Staff, while Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye was appointed Chief of Defence Intelligence among others.

    The new CDS, Gen. Musa, born on Dec. 25, 1967 in Sokoto, hails from Zangon Kataf in Kaduna State.

    He is a member of the 38th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy and was commissioned on Sept. 21, 1991 into the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps.

    Musa holds a Masters Degree in Defence Studies, from the National Defence University Changing in Beijing China.

    He has held several command appointments in the cause of his military career, and was at the thick of the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists for over a decade.

    He was Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai in the North East, before his deployment as Commander Infantry Corps, from where he was appointed as CDS.

    The new COAS, Lagbaja hails from Ilobu in Oṣun and is a member of the 39 regular course of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

    He holds a Bachelor degree in Geography from NDA Kaduna, and Masters Degree from U.S. Army War College.

    Until his elevation as COAS, Lagbaja was the Chief of Operation (Army), and had served as General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Kaduna as well as 82 Division, Nigerian Army Enugu.

    He had participated and held command positions in several military operations, including Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi Peninsula, United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Operation ZAKI.

    He was also part of the Internal Security Operation in Benue; Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Operation MESA/UDO KA, and Internal Security Operation in the South East.

    As GOC 1 Division in Kaduna, he personally led troops of Operation FOREST SANITY in confronting  terrorists in Kaduna and Niger States.

    The new Chief of Naval Staff hails from Enugu Ezike in Enugu State and is also a member of 39 Regular Course of NDA.

    Until his appointment, he was the Director of Lessons Learnt at Naval Heeadquarters Department of Policy and Plans.

    Ogalla is a regular combatant and has held several command appointments and attended several courses both home and abroad.

    The new CAS, AVM Abubakar was born on Sept. 11 1970 and hails from Shanono Local Government Area in Kano State.

    He was enlisted into the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) as a member of 39 Regular Course of NDA and was commissioned Pilot Officer on Sept.19, 1992.

    He was the Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command until his new appointment and have attended several course.

    Abubakar holds Bachelor of Science Degree from the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna and Basic Flying Training Courses at the 301 Flying Training School Kaduna.

    He also attended the National Defence Course at the Nasser Higher Military Academy, Cairo – Egypt, and holds Masters Degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

    The new Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj.-Gen. Undiandeye hails from Bedia in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State.

    He was until his appointment the Commandant of the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji, Kaduna State.

    Undiandeye was a member of the Troop Contributing Countries Working Group for the development of second edition of the United Nation Infantry Battalion Manual (UNIBAM) published in 2020 by the UN office of military affairs.

    He is of the Intelligence Corps of the Nigerian Army.