Buhari appoints service chiefs, NSA
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday appointed new service chiefs and national security adviser in his major appointments since taking office six weeks ago.Their appointments came about two hours after the president sacked their predecessors.The new service chiefs are Major General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin, Chief of Defence Staff; Major General Tukur Y. Buratai, Chief of Army Staff; […]
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday appointed new service chiefs and national security adviser in his major appointments since taking office six weeks ago.
Their appointments came about two hours after the president sacked their predecessors.
The new service chiefs are Major General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin, Chief of Defence Staff; Major General Tukur Y. Buratai, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff.
Retired Major-General Babagana Monguno replaced retired Col. Sambo Dasuki as National Security Adviser while Air Vice Marshal Monday Riku Morgan emerged the new Chief of Defence Intelligence.
The presidential spokesman Femi Adesina, who made the announcement, said the new service chiefs would hold office in an acting capacity until confirmed by the Senate.
Their predecessors who were removed yesterday include Chief Air Marshall, Alex Badeh (CDS), Lt-General Kenneth Minimah (CAS), Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin (CNS) and Air Marshal Adesola Amosun (CAS). They were all appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014.
The Presidency was silent on the reasons for the removal of the former service chiefs.
There had been an escalation of attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in the northern part of the country in the recent weeks.
Our correspondent reports that after about four-hour closed-door meeting with the president, the new service chiefs left the Aso Rock Presidential Villa without speaking to journalists.
The new Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen. Olonishakin (N/6901), hails from Ekiti State. Until his appointment as Chief of Defence Staff yesterday, he was the Head of the Nigerian Army Training and Doctrine Command in Minna, Niger State. The new Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Buratai hails from Borno State. Until yesterday, he was the Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force which has its headquarters in Ndjamena.
Maj-Gen. Buratai had served as Commander of the Nigerian Army’s 2nd Brigade in Port Harcourt and Commander of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry in Jaji, Kaduna State.
The new Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibas (NN/0746) hails from Cross River State. He enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 26th Regular Course in 1979 and was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant in 1983.
His previous appointments include: Naval Provost Marshal, Chief Staff Officer, Naval Training Command, Chief of Administration, Naval Headquarters, Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command and Chief of Logistics, Naval Headquarters.
Until his appointment as Chief of Naval Staff, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Navy Holdings Limited.
The new Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar (NAF/1433) hails from Bauchi State.
His previous appointments include: Chief of Standards and Evaluation, NAF Headquarters; Chief of Defence Communications and Air Officer Commanding, NAF Training Command. Until yesterday, he was the Chief of Administration, NAF Headquarters.
The new NSA, retired Maj.-Gen. Monguno was a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 21st Regular Course.
Before his retirement from the Army, he had held several command and staff appointments including: Commander, Guards Brigade, Deputy Commandant, National Defence College, Chief of Defence Intelligence, Chief of Defence Logistics and Commander, Training and Doctrine Command.
Adesina said the president thanked the outgoing service chiefs and NSA for their services to the nation and wished them well in their future endeavours.
Your records recommended you, President tells appointees
President Muhammadu Buhari has charged the newly appointed service chiefs to help him rebuild the reputation of the armed forces and the country.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, quoted Buhari as giving the charge while addressing the service chiefs yesterday shortly after their appointments were announced.
The presidential aide also quoted Buhari as calling on the new service chiefs to show utmost commitment to their new duties.
“All of you, including the National Security Adviser, were chosen on merit. Your records gave you the job. Save for the new Chief of Army Staff whom I briefly met at his Command at the Multi-National Joint Task Force, in Chad, I don’t know any of you. Your records recommended you.
“Legally, you are in acting capacity until the National Assembly accepts you. It is only then that you will take the oath of office. Thereafter, we will sit down and talk in more detail” Buhari told the service.
Shehu said the president assured them that their nominations would be sent to the National Assembly either yesterday or today for confirmation.