Deborah Makoji
Abuja
In a significant development in Nigeria's military leadership, new service chiefs have assumed office, pledging to uphold the legacy of exemplary leadership set by their predecessors.
Air Vice Marshal SK Aneke took over as the 23rd Chief of the Air Staff, while Major General Olufemi Oluyede's assumption of office as the Chief of Defence Staff and Major General Waidi Shaibu as the 25th Chief of Army Staff and Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, the 25th Chief of Naval Staff of the Nigerian Navy, marks a new chapter in the country's military history.
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the 23rd Chief of the Air Staff of the Nigerian Air Force, has a distinguished background marked by academic excellence, military prowess, and strategic leadership.
Aneke holds impressive academic credentials. He has received several awards and honours.
Aneke has assured Nigerians of his commitment to ensuring the security of the country and modernizing the Nigerian Air Force (NAF)
“I use the word lethal in a professional sense because a man running from you will not have the time to plan to hurt you. My leadership vision is anchored on training, technology, safety, and strategic innovation. True military power is not measured by brute force but by superior intellect and adaptability.” He said.
Major General Olufemi Oluyede is a seasoned Nigerian Army officer with a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades.
Oluyede has participated in several international peacekeeping missions.
He declared that the Armed Forces will operate with professionalism, transparency, and respect for human rights under his watch.
Major General Waidi Shaibu, the 25th Chief of Army Staff, has a distinguished background marked by academic excellence, military prowess, and strategic leadership.
Major General Shaibu pledged to consolidate and build on the remarkable legacies of his predecessor while enhancing synergy among security agencies and government institutions to strengthen national security.
“I salute the courage, passion, resilience and discipline of our troops in the field. Their sacrifices remain the cornerstone of our collective success,” the new Army Chief stated.
While appreciating the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for finding him worthy of the position, the COAS led the NA senior officers in observing one minute silence for the repose of the souls of departed comrades.
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, the 25th Chief of Naval Staff of the Nigerian Navy, has a distinguished background marked by extensive experience in maritime security and strategic leadership.
He noted that our maritime environment remains threatened by the scourge of crude oil theft, sea robbery, illegal bunkering, Illegal Unreported Unregulated fishing and drug trafficking.
"I am not unaware that our maritime environment remains threatened by the scourge of crude oil theft, sea robbery, illegal bunkering, Illegal Unreported Unregulated fishing and drug trafficking.
"These crimes not only undermine our national economy and energy security, but also threaten the livelihoods of our coastal communities and the economic stability and prosperity of our dear nation." He said.
To confront these challenges decisively, Abbas noted that his tenure will be guided by a clear and actionable strategic approach focusing on strengthening maritime security and combating illegalities, enhancing the operational capability of of fleet.
"To confront these challenges decisively, my tenure will be guided by a clear and actionable strategic approach focusing on strengthening maritime security and combating illegalities, enhancing the operational capability of our fleet through aggressive fleet renewal, use of technology, prioritising training and personnel welfare, as well as fostering inter-agency synergy, regional and international collaboration.
"Specifically, serious attention will be given to the imperatives of jointness with sister Services and close cooperation with relevant security agencies in the conduct of operations towards tackling the pervasive security threats confronting our dear nation."
He promised to lead from the front, to listen, and to ensure that staff welfare remains top priority.
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