…Delta Okowa congratulates Irabor
…An opportunity to serve the nation says Wike
By Audrey Lotechukwu
TUE 26 JAN, 2021-theGBJournal- Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for public support for the new service chiefs as they perform their constitutional roles of protecting the country’s territorial integrity and tackle emerging security threats.
‘’We also urge increased synergy among the armed forces in achieving these tasks,’’ the party said today, in statement signed by Sen John J. Akpan Udoedeghe, the party’s National Secretary shortly after President Muhammadu Buhari announced new set of ranking service chiefs.
The appointment of the new service chiefs followed the resignation and retirement of outgoing service chiefs.
The President also urged the new incoming chiefs to be loyal and dedicated ‘’in the discharge of their responsibilities.’’
Appointed chiefs are Major General Leo Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff, Major General I. Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff and Air-Vice Marshal I.O. Amao as Chief of Air Staff.
The APC said they welcome the appointment and are confident that they will consolidate on the ‘’remarkable achievements of their predecessors in keeping the country safe and peaceful.’’
The River State Governor, Nyesom Wike also weighed in on the appointment warning the new service chiefs not to politicise security by aligning with politicians.
‘’What the country needs now is competence and professionalism that will reduce insecurity to the barest minimum,’’ Wike said. He said he believes that the service chiefs will be focused and dedicated.
‘’This is an opportunity to serve,’’ he told the service chiefs.
Meanwhile, the Delta Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated Major-General Leo Irabor on his appointment as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) by President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, Okowa said that the sacrifices of the new Defence chief towards peace and progress of the nation, especially his acknowledged gallantry at assignments, were outstanding.
He thanked Buhari for appointing an illustrious son of Delta into the exalted position of Chief of Defence Staff, and said that it was an elevated responsibility given to a deserving officer.
According to him, Irabor, who hails from Agbor in Delta, has the requisite experience for his new job having served as Theatre Commander “Operation Lafiya Doyle”, Force Commander of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), combating Boko Haram; Chief of Training and Operations, Defence Headquarters and Commander, Training and Doctrine Command of the Nigerian Army, TRADOC.
Okowa urged Irabor to ensure that under his watch, Nigeria would record improvement in military-civil relations and that he should continue to uphold the territorial integrity of the nation.
He lauded the new CDS for the successes recorded at the many army formations where he served across the country, which according to him, contributed in strengthening Nigerian Army’s capacity for its constitutional role.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate a fine military officer and gentleman, Major-Gen. Leo Irabor, on his appointment as Chief of Defence Staff.
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