President Muhammadu Buhari’s newly nominated service chiefs have outlined their plan of action in the drive to address the lingering security challenges facing the country.
The service chiefs, Wednesday, appeared before an adhoc committee constituted by the House of Representatives under the leadership of chairman of the committee on defence, Babajimi Benson, for the purpose of screening and approval of their appointments as requested by President Buhari.
In attendance were Chief of Defence Staff Major General Lucky Irabor; Chief of Army Staff, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru; Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Auwal Gambo; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Ishiaka Amao, in the company of Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd).
Magashi in his remarks told the panel that the nominees were still wearing their old ranks instead of those of their various offices, as they wait for their confirmation by the National Assembly as a demonstration of subjecting themselves to civil authority, adding that they will only wear their ranks after the confirmation.
Chief of Defence Staff nominee, Major General Lucky Irabor, who spoke first said, “If confirmed, my intention is to foster a better Armed Forces that is capable of making effectively, the imperatives of the constitution. By so doing, I intend to have some pillars that are allied to this broad focus of leadership. This may not come out as a vision because I believe that visions are meant for institutions and not individuals.
“As a military commander, I intend to have leadership focus in outlining the broad areas, to this, I intend to build a very professional armed forces that is effective, agile, result oriented and of course, one that is loyal to constituted authority.”
In his submission, the Chief of Army Staff nominee, Major General Attahiru said he would be working towards a Nigerian Army that is re-positioned to professionally defeat adversaries, adding that his “style would be an integrative approach that would involve every Nigerian in providing adequate security for the country.”
Also speaking, the Chief of Naval Staff nominee, Rear Admiral Auwal Gambo, pledged to ensure loyalty, cooperation, commitment, knowledge and skills of all officers, ratings and civilian staff of the Nigerian Navy, saying his goal was to optimally harness these for the benefit of the service and the nation.
“If confirmed as Chief of the Naval Staff, I intend to leverage on all factors of national location, technology, training, teamwork and synergy to re-energise the Nigerian Navy and enhance the personel as a well-motivated and ready to discharge her constitutional mandate and other tasks in fulfillment of the national security objectives,” he said.
On his part, the Chief of Air Staff nominee, Air Vice Marshall Isiaka Amao, said his focus for the Air Force would be to enhance and sustain critical airpower capability required in pursuit of national security imperatives, adding that he would also focus on doctrinal development and joint military operations amongst others.