The Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa has called on the Military High Command to work as a team to secure the country peacefully.
The Defence Chief made the call during the formal taking over ceremony of the newly appointed Acting Chief of Army Staff, Major General Olufemi Oluyede in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
According to him, Nigeria is going through several challenges, all hands need to be on deck, this is one main reason why the President, Commander-in-Chief decided to appoint the Acting Chief of Army Staff, so that there will be continuity to avoid any gap and we cannot afford to give up and allow insecurity to continue to prevail.
He noted that it is important that they all understand this claim and give the Acting Chief of Army Staff all the support to make sure he’s successful.
The Defence Chief said that “Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja is somebody we all know as a regimented officer, he would not want any gap to occur in his absence and in that place, that’s why this event is taking place. So I want to count on all of us, whatever issues we have in mind, whatever opinions, please put it that Nigeria must survive the armed forces, must survive
“That is the paramount call, so everybody should put his hands on deck and let us succeed. To all our commanders out in the field, the challenges are there.”
He commended the efforts of all the commanders for the work they are doing adding that they are performing magic, urging them not to relent.
General Musa said that “the bandits, the terrorists, the criminals are not relenting, they must not relent”.
The CDS noted that as they are moving towards December, the festive period, they know the challenges that will come up, so they need to take all measures necessary to ensure that Nigeria remains peaceful.
“I want to assure you that we are working as a team, because that’s what makes the difference. We must continue to work as a team. We must make Nigeria safe”, he said.
According to him, the Commander-in-Chief, in clear terms, has given them that mandate, and every time they meet, he reiterated that clearly that they must work as a team.
He charged them individually and collectively to ensure the commanders out there in the field are doing what they are supposed to do, and they would give them the necessary support.
According to the Defence Chief, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, went on his leave and went for his medical check-up and had reasons to stay behind to continue to do his medical check-up.
“It is our prayers that he will get better, fit enough to return back as the Chief of Army Staff”, he said.
According to him, in the interim, based on the powers conferred on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, he has decided and directed and appointed an acting Chief of Army Staff with the full powers and responsibilities of the Chief of Army Staff until the President decides otherwise.
He noted that for them as professionals, they are to continue with their task ahead, with no gap to be left based on the challenges they have in the country.
“And it is in the wisdom of the President, Commander-in-Chief, that today we present the authority to the Acting Chief of Army Staff for him to have full control and command of the Nigerian Army”, he said.
He congratulated him on his appointment as he implored him not to rest on his laurels in assuring that he justified the confidence imposed on him by the President, Commander-in-Chief.
In his remark, after the completion of the signing of the taking over notes, completed, the Acting Chief of Army Staff, Major General Olufemi Oluyede stressed that he seeks everyone’s support and cooperation so that they can succeed together in stemming all forms of insecurity currently being witnessed across the country and return this beautiful country to land of peace and economic prosperity.
He pledging his unallied loyalty to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and his appointing authority in the person of Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Oluyede expressed his appreciation to Mr. President for finding him worthy to be charged with this responsibility as the Acting Chief of Army Staff in this particular peculiar and sober situation, they find themselves as a nation and an army.
He noted that his appointment as Acting Chief of Army Staff is to enable the Chief of Army Staff to take sufficient time to get necessary medical attention and to prepare himself.
The Acting Chief of Army Staff solicited prayers for Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, speedy recovery and safe return to complete the excellent job we have started.
On the Presidential directive, the Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa said;
“The President conveyed the appointment with Major-General Olufemi Oluyede as the Acting Chief of Army Staff by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Nigeria.
“The President, Commander-in-Chief directed that Major-General Oluyede would act in the position of the Chief of Army Staff pending the term of the undisclosed authority of the Chief of Army Staff and this is in line with the provisions enshrined in the Armed Forces Act A20, the Laws of Incubation A20-04.
Parts 7, Administration, Government, and Command. Sections 18-1-4, Appointment of Service Chiefs, etc. Section 19, Vows of Command of Members of Operating Services, and Section 22-1 state as follows.
Parts 7, Section 18-1-4, Administration, Government, and Command, Appointment of Service Chiefs, etc.
The President may after consultation with the Chief of Air Staff and subject to confirmation by the National Assembly and appoint such officers in this Act as the Service Chiefs, and still speak in whom the command of the Army, Navy, and Air Force at the case may be, and their results shall be bestowed.
The Service Chief shall be known in the case of the Nigerian Army as the Chief of Army Staff, in the case of the Nigerian Navy as the Chief of Naval Staff, in the case of the Air Force as the Chief of Air Staff, subject to the terms of appointment of the Service Chiefs, and subsequent directions as to the operational use of the Army, Navy, and Air Force as may be given under Section 8 of this Act.
The Service Chief shall have the command, direction, and general supervision of the Army, Navy, and Air Force respectively, and their replies. The President may before consultation with the Chief of the Air Staff consult with the Forces Council, but the question as to whether any consultation was held or what happened in the course of consultation shall not be inquired into. Section 19.
Powers of Command of Members of Operating Services. If so far the power of command depends on ranking a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or any of those Chiefs who is acting together with any of the Service Chiefs, he or she either would or would not his leave for any part thereof, or shall have the life power of a member of the corresponding rank of the respective Service.
And for purposes of an Act or a mission relating to school subordination and life offerings, that member shall be treated as if he were a member of the corresponding rank of the respective Services.
Section 22. Regulation as to Command.
The President may make regulations as to the person in whom command over the establishment and unit for any member thereof is vested, as to the circumstance in which command as a person is to be exercised, and to the generality of the public may instruct the regulations provided for the duties, functions, and powers of command and staff of the Armed Forces.
The aim is to note this is a charge. Responsibilities of the Chief of Army Staff. By this appointment, the responsibilities of administering the Nigerian Army are rest on you.
Your responsibilities are wide and varied and cannot be covered in this administrative note.
This note is only an adversary to the procedure. The former Washington Chief of the New Responsibility and to guide him to relay pre-conditions and administer the affairs of the Nigerian Army.
It is expected that at the end of this formal event, you will be greeted by the Chief of the Oasis and Blount Army and other principal servicemen and army officers in the course of your visit. Accordingly, you have to note that your selection was based on your vast knowledge of military leadership at all levels, character, and competence.
You are a member of a larger team of professional soldiers who are serving with the responsibility of defending the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by land, sea, and air as captured in our Constitution.
It is therefore expected of you to consolidate and improve on the course of your solidarity through Army Staff, international appeal, as well as past Chief of Army Staff in order to sustain the high level of professionalism, discipline, resilience, and regimentation that the Nigerian Army is known for all over the world.”
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