Newly decorated four-star Chief of Defence Staff, (CDS)- General Olufemi Oluyede, on Thursday declared that the Armed Forces is fully ready and prepared, as directed by President Bola Tinubu, to ensure that Nigeria becomes fully safe for every citizen, visitors, and residents.
General Oluyede stated this while speaking to State House Correspondents shortly after his decoration with his new rank alongside his colleagues- the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDIA), Lieutenant General E.A.P Undiendeye, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General W. Shaibu, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral I. Abbas, and the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshall S. K Aneke at the presidential villa, Abuja.
“I am sure you heard when I made my remarks when I assured Nigerians I was going to do our very best to make Nigeria safer. That you know, was emphasized by Mr. President, who charged us to do everything possible to ensure that we make Nigeria better secured,” General Oluyede said.
NewsQuest reports that President Tinubu’s government is being praised for demonstrating a renewed vigor in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges through the significant reshuffle of the military high command aimed at strengthening the nation’s security apparatus.
Analysts believe that the move was deliberate and forward-looking to introduce innovation, agility, and renewal into Nigeria’s defense system.
According to the new Defense Chief-General Oluyede “That I can promise Nigerians that we are going to do. Mr. President noted that terrorism, for instance, has been with us since 2009. He said that it is important that we bring it 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.
“Because, for everybody, I believe, security should be our business, and without the support of Nigerians, we hardly achieve anything. So, I want to enjoin Nigerians of all ethnicities to please support us, and at the end of the day, I believe we will make Nigeria safer. That’s our promise to you,” General Oluyede stressed.
General Oluyede, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues during the decoration event proper, also pledged unwavering loyalty and commitment to ridding Nigeria of all forms of criminality and creating a safer environment where socio-economic activities can flourish.
“But in all, I want to thank all Nigerians for the support they give to the armed forces, and I expect that they will 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 is our pledge for you today,” the General added.
President Tinubu in his remarks during the decoration ceremony, charged the new service chiefs to immediately crush every emerging security threat facing the nation, especially those from the North-West, North-Central, and parts of the South.
President Tinubu declared “Security threats are constantly evolving, constantly mutating. Of grave concern to our administration is the recent emergence of new armed groups in the North-Central, North-West, and parts of the South. We must not allow these new threats to fester. We must be decisive and proactive. Let us smash the new snakes right in the head”.
The President said that the nation was yearning for peace and that there was a sense of urgency to attain it.
“Today’s ceremony is beyond the symbolism of decoration. “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.
“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 said.
Tinubu also lauded the Nigerian Armed Forces for their commitment, diligence, and success in reclaiming territories from terrorists and rescuing kidnapped citizens.
“To General Shaibu, I understand you were injured, and you recuperated. I saw so many stories, clips online of Operation Hadin-Kai. All of you, working together as a team, have made the country proud,” the President stressed.
President Tinubu continued, “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.”
The decoration ceremony held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
