Nigeria Content Online

Goodluck Jonathan yesterday decorated
the newly appointed service chiefs. The service chiefs were promoted
one step higher in their ranks.

President Jonathan implored them to
ensure that the menace of kidnapping is wiped out of the country,
through cooperation with the Nigerian Police Force.

The decoration ceremony took place
shortly before the commencement of the weekly Federal Executive Council
(FEC) meeting at the Council Chambers of the presidential villa. Family
and friends of the newly decorated military chiefs were on ground to
witness the occasion, which took off shortly after 10am.

The newly appointed Director General of
the State Security Service (SSS), Ita Ekpenyong, and the DG of the
Nigerian Intelligence Agency, E. O. Oladeji, were also recognised.

The promotion of the Acting Inspector
General of police, Hafiz Ringim, to the post of substantive IG is
pending the confirmation of the National Council of States, which is
made up of governors.

Speaking during the ceremony, Mr
Jonathan urged the chiefs to devise measures to reposition the defence
intelligence system both at home and abroad. “We are all gathered to
witness the decoration of the nation’s chief of defence staff, and
chiefs for the army, navy and air force, who in the exercise of my
powers as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, I appointed last
week,” the president said. “The chief of defence staff, Oluseyi
Petirin, former Air Marshal, is now Air Chief Marshal; the Chief of
Defence Staff, Azubuike Ihejirika, was Major-General, is now
Lieutenant-General; the Chief of Naval Staff, Ola Ibrahim, was a Rear
Admiral, is now Vice-Admiral and the Chief of Air Staff, Mohammed Dikko
Umar, was Air Vice Marshal, is now Air Marshal.”

Political challenges

Mr Jonathan stated that in spite of
several political challenges we have faced as a nation, the armed
forces have, in the last one decade, remained resolute in defence of
democracy in our country.

“The armed forces’ complete submission
to civil authority in compliance with the provisions of the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has helped to sustain
our collective efforts to develop a true democratic culture in the
country,” he said.

“For this act of unflinching loyalty, I
commend our officers and men. I thank the immediate past chief of
defence staff, Air Marshal Paul Dike; the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen.
Ibrahim Danbazau; the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Ishaya
Ibrahim; and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Petirin who is now the
CDS, for the sterling leadership they provided to the armed forces in
the last two years of their service.

“I urge you to see your appointment as
another opportunity for higher service to your fatherland. You must,
therefore, remain committed, dedicated and loyal to the constitution of
the Federal Republic.”

He said the men were coming to service
at a very critical moment in our history, with our country facing
internal security challenges, such as kidnapping, militia terrorizing
parts of the country and others. “You must work effectively with the
police to ensure that we put this ugly part of Nigeria’s history behind
us as soon as possible.

“Government will do everything to
support you to make sure that these rampant cases of kidnapping and
militia harassing, maiming, destroying and killing people in parts of
this country, is a thing of the past,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to cooperate with and support the new officers to
succeed, adding that their “success will bring security to this country
that all Nigerians are looking up to”.