Kingsley Omonobi
29 August 2008
CHIEF of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Paul Dike, Chief of Army Staff, Major General Abdurahman Dambazau, Naval Chief, Rear Admiral Ishaya Ibrahim and Chief of Air Staff, AVM Oluseyi Petinrin all took over command of the armed forces yesterday even as it emerged that they have all been promoted to the next ranks.
They were however told to retain their present ranks, until President Umaru Yar'adua who is presently in Saudi Arabia for the lesser hajj, returns to decorate them with the new ranks.
Consequently the new CDS will become a 4-star general, that is Air Chief Marshal, Dambazau will become a Lt. General, Ishaya Ibrahim will become Vice Admiral and Oluseyi Petinrin will become an Air Marshal (3-star General).
Speaking during the handing over ceremony, the new CDS, Dike, promised President Umaru Yar'adua, Nigerians in general, and the armed forces in particular that he would not disappoint for the confidence and trust which led to his appointment.
According to Air Marshal Dike, the wind of change of transformation aimed at transforming the Nigerian armed forces into a very capable force both in peacetime and in time of trouble will be pursued with vigour to ensure that full professionalism is attained.
On his predecessor, the new CDS paid tribute to General Owoye Andrew Azazi for the maturity and professionalism with which he handled the defence headquarters promising to improve on his achievements.
Earlier, Chief of Army Staff, Maj. General Abdurahman Dambazau while taking over from Lt. General Luka Yusuf, noted that since the traditional roles of the Nigerian Army have always been National defence against both external and internal threats, especially within the immediate security environment, the army must pursue them in line with constitutional provisions.
Emphasizing on the need for discipline, Dambazau said, "One of the greatest challenges for the Nigerian Army in the current dispensation is the need to maintain the time tested ethos and values. The traditions of honour, morality, justice, sacrifice and inherited legacies that took considerable length of time to build are on the declined.
"Sequel to this development, several forms of attitudinal problems have manifested in units and elsewhere throughout the Nigerian Army. Overtime, some officers and soldiers have become accustomed to illegal duties; care free attitude towards welfare of troops; involvement in criminal activities, disobedience to standing orders, neglect of regimentation and poor leadership among others", the army chief said.
Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibrahim in his remarks, commended Vice Admiral Ganiyu Adekeye for his efforts at revamping the Navy by bringing ships back to sea and fighting illegal activities of pirates, pipeline vandals and illegal bunkering in the country's maritime base.
On his part the Chief of Air staff, AVM Petinrin promised to follow the footsteps of Air Marshal Paul Dike that has made the NAF the cynosure of all eyes emphasizing that the will not only try to match what new CDS achieved, but try to add more to his achievements.
The outgoing CDS, Azazi, and other service chiefs, expressed fulfillment and thanks to Mr. President for the opportunity given them to serve the nation in the highest capacity of the armed forces and commended the armed forces under their command for being steadfast to the sustenance of democracy.
"I am handing over to someone that is very capable in the person of Air Marshal Paul Dike. I can tell you whole heartedly that I am leaving with pride and fulfillment and I am going, knowing that I have the support of the whole military behind me", General Azazi said.
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