Senate Confirms CDS, Service Chiefs’ Appointments

* As military helmsman unfold agenda

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Senate on Thursday approved the appointments of the Chief of Defence Staff and the service chiefs after grilling them behind closed doors for over two hours.

The appointees are Major General Christopher Musa, as Chief of Defence Staff; Major General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff (COAS); Rear Admiral Emmanuel. A Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff (CHS); and Air Vice Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, as the  Chief of Air Staff (CAS).

They had earlier introduced themselves to the federal lawmakers when they gave their separate speeches during plenary on Thursday.

The CDS said: “Under my watch the Armed Forces shall continue to serve the Nigerian people dutifully and in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other extant provisions of the law for the federation.”

Lagbaja, on his own, said: “Insecurity has distorted our developmental plan and aspiration as Nigerians. 

“The volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous nature of our contemporary security environment makes leadership challenging and therefore demands new skills that are proactive, adaptive and inclusive.

“I make bold to say that is what I intend to bring on board as Chief of Army Staff. I know that the Nigerian Army that I have been nominated to lead is a crucial component of our military instrument of national power.”

The Chief of Naval Staff said: “If given the opportunity to serve as the Chief of Naval Staff, I will put in my best to be able to accomplish the standard. 

“I fully understand the challenges facing the Nigerian Navy. In line with our statutory roles, which is the defence of the nation’s territorial integrity of the maritime domain, as well as the policing roles of protecting the nation’s resources and contribution to military aid to civil power.

“I am fully prepared to carry out this roles. If given the chance, my command philosophy as the Chief of Naval Staff, I will be committed to leading with integrity, courage and relentless pursuit of excellence. 

“I believe in the power of team work, discipline and human capacity development. 

“My goal is to ensure that every Nigerian Navy personnel and civilian staff is equipped, trained and ready to execute our mission effectively.”

The Chief of Air Staff said: “We will adopt additional air power measures and approaches that will continue to diminish our security challenges and enhance the disposition of our various theatres of operations. 

“This is important in view of the enormous expectations of Nigerians on us and to ensure an expeditious and accelerated actualisation of the security of lives and property of Nigerians.” 

The Senate then dissolved into a closed session.

The Senate through voice vote, approved their appointment both at the Committee of the Whole and at plenary after the closed session.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, said the CDS and service chiefs were extensively grilled by the senators on what they would do differently to tackle the alarming insecurity in the country.

Tinubu had on Tuesday asked the Senate to screen and confirm the appointments of the new CDS and the service chiefs.

The letter was dated July 5, 2023 and addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.

The letter noted that the request was in compliance with the provisions of Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act. Cap A20 Laws the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

He asked the Senate to act expeditiously on the request, considering the level of insecurity in the country.

The president appointed the service chiefs when the National Assembly was on recess three week ago.

However, Senator Ali Ndume (APC Borno South), who is deputy majority leader, cautioned his colleagues to always comport themselves whenever visitors are invited into the red chamber.

Ndume noted that some senators left their seat in the hallowed chamber to run after the service chiefs to exchange pleasantries while they should have stayed back to continue with their parliamentary duties.

The Borno lawmaker, who spoke from his years of experience in the parliament, said going after visitors after being attended to is against the tradition of the Senate.