Nigerian security is not an easy task, but it is not impossible, according to Irabor

Irabor asserts that the nation is unable to fully recoup its debts to the men and women who serve in the armed services.

Providing security for a diverse nation like Nigeria is not an easy assignment, but General Lucky Irabor, the recently retired Chief of Defence Staff, argues that it is not insurmountable.

This was expressed by him during his farewell speech during the pulling-out ceremony held for him on Friday at the Mogadishu Cantonment in Abuja.

Irabor asserts that the nation is unable to fully recoup the debts it owes to the men and women who serve in the armed services.

He said he was happy to have served in the military and that he was leaving it bigger and stronger than when he arrived.

The former defense chief also urged residents to refrain from actions that would damage the Nigerian military, adding that it serves as a symbol of hope, unity, and stability that must be safeguarded.

He expressed confidence that his successor would be able to break the previous military records.

Senior military officials, previous Chiefs of Defense Staff, Boss Mustapha, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and Sheriff Oborevwori, the governor of Delta State, are present at the event.

General Abayomi Olonisakin was replaced by Irabor in 2021 as the Chief of Defence Staff by then-President Muhammadu Buhari.

On June 19, 2023, President Tinubu appointed new service chiefs to replace all of the outgoing ones, ending the defense chief’s tenure.

Gen. Irabor was replaced by Maj. Gen. C.G. Musa by the President, who is presently serving as the Acting Chief of Defence Staff before the Senate confirms him.

Along with Gen. Musa, other service chiefs include Maj. Gen. T. A. Lagbaja as the chief of the army staff, Rear Admiral E. A. Ogalla as the chief of the navy, and AVM H. B. Abubakar as the chief of the air staff.

Additionally appointed are Maj. Gen. EPA Undiandeye as the Chief of Defense Intelligence and DIG Kayode Egbetokun as the Acting Inspector-General of Police.

The President also named Nuhu Ribadu, a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as his new national security adviser (NSA). Babagana Monguno is replaced as the country’s NSA by Ribadu.

Adeniyi Adewale’s nomination as the acting Comptroller General of Customs was also given approval by Tinubu. He succeeds Hameed Ali.