•New appointments mean a lot to Igbo – Ngige
After five years and five months, President Muhamadu Buhari on Tuesday replaced the Service Chiefs.
A new set of senior officers were appointed.
The new Service Chiefs are Major General Leo Irabor as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS); Major General Ibrahim Attahiru as Chief of Army Staff (CoAS); Rear Admiral Zubairu Gambo as Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) and Air Vice Marshal Isaka Amao as Chief of Air Staff (CAS).
They replaced General Abayomi Olonisakin (CDS), Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai (CoAS), Vice-Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas (CNS) and Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (CAS), all of who voluntarily retired from Service yesterday. They were appointed on July 13, 2015.
A statement by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina, said: “President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted the immediate resignation of the Service Chiefs, and their retirement from service.
“The President congratulates the new Service Chiefs, and urges them to be loyal and dedicated in the discharge of their responsibilities.”
The replacement of the service chiefs came on the heels of months of national outcry over the performance of the immediate past handlers of the nation’s armed forces. Many people called for their removal.
In his New Year televised message to Nigerians, the President hinted that he would be making critical security changes in 2021, with the aim of salvaging the escalating security situation in the country.
Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Chris Ngige said last night that the President told some Federal Executive Council members that he would appoint new Service Chiefs as New Year’s gift for Nigerians.
A statement from Sen. Chris Ngige Media Office said the appointment is “a befitting new year gift to Nigerians,” and thanked the President for harkening to calls by well meaning Nigerians.
“In a special way, the new appointment means a lot to the Igbo. The New Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Leo Irabor is from Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State and of Niger Delta Igbo ethnic stock. The President has again debunked the propaganda and wrong insinuation that he is an Igbo hater.”
“He has left no one in doubt he chooses the best from any part of the country.”
Recall that Sen. Ngige had while representing the President at the burial of late Catholic Bishop Gregory ÌchËagha of Orlu Diocese on Monday, Jan 11, 2021, in response to the quest of the President of Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Most Rev. Dr. Akubueze on the security situation in Nigeria, told the congregation that the President had promised to rejig the security apparatus in the new year, to the ovation of all in attendance.
I think Ngige is from Delta and not an Igbo man, since he dont know the difference.