By Abiola Olawale
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday officially decorated the newly appointed Service Chiefs with their new ranks, marking the formal assumption of their duties.
The ceremony, held at the State House, followed the unanimous confirmation by the Senate.
The ceremony, which began shortly after 2pm saw the President perform the decoration alongside Vice President Kashim Shettima and the spouses of the decorated officers, each dressed in their respective service uniforms.
Those decorated were General Olufemi Oluyede as the Chief of Defence Staff; Lieutenant-General Wahidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff; Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff; and Vice Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.
The Senate had, on Wednesday, confirmed the four nominees after a two-hour closed-door screening session where they were grilled on strategies to strengthen national security and improve coordination among the armed forces.
Tinubu had earlier written the red chamber, seeking an expedited confirmation process “to ensure continuity in the nation’s security leadership.”
Recall that in the statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to the President, Sunday Dare, Tinubu said the shake-up was part of efforts to inject new direction into the nation’s defence architecture.
The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General E. A. P. Undiendeye, retained his position.
Also, the security overhaul came amid reports of an alleged coup plot to overthrow Tinubu.
