Full Text: Tinubu Decorates Service Chiefs, Charges Them on National Security

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday decorated the newly appointed service chiefs with their ranks at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The event, which commenced shortly after 2:00 p.m., had Vice President Kashim Shettima in attendance, alongside the spouses of the officers who joined in the decoration. Each of the service chiefs appeared in full service regalia for the brief but symbolic occasion.

Those decorated were:

General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff

Lieutenant-General Wahidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff

Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke, Chief of Air Staff

Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, Chief of Naval Staff

Tinubu’s Charge to the Service Chiefs

In his address, President Tinubu congratulated the officers on their appointments and subsequent confirmation by the Senate, while reminding them of the enormity of their mandate.

The President explained that the ceremony signified more than a change in insignia, describing it as the start of a renewed push to secure lives and property across Nigeria.

Tinubu underscored the link between peace and sustainable growth, stressing that national development cannot thrive in the absence of safety.

Read The President’s Full Speech Below.

Protocol

Distinguished Service chiefs,

I congratulate you on your appointment and subsequent confirmation by the Senate. As your Commander-in-Chief, I am entrusting you with a tremendous responsibility—one that you must approach with the highest standards of commitment and dedication.

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.

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.

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The government’s foremost duty is to protect the citizens. Over the years, our military has remained steadfast in defending our nation’s territorial integrity, with many soldiers paying the ultimate price for their service. 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.

We have restored peace to many areas previously under siege, rescued countless kidnapped citizens, and significantly diminished the capacity of the terror groups.

I thank our armed forces for their patriotism, diligence, and dedication to their duty. As your Commander-in-Chief, I sincerely appreciate your sacrifices, as I have repeatedly acknowledged.

However, challenges remain. 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.

I charge you, as the heads of our nation’s armed forces, to carry out your duties with patriotic zeal. Nigerians expect results, not excuses.

I charge you also to be innovative, pre-emptive, and courageous. Let’s stay ahead of those who seek to threaten our peace. Let us deploy technology where necessary. We cannot allow the crisis that began in 2009 to persist any longer.

I wish you success as you take up the challenge. I promise to provide all the support you need to get the job done.

Thank you, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May God continue to keep our armed forces safe.