Retiring Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor on Friday said that providing security for a diverse country like Nigeria is not an easy task, but insists it is not an impossible feat to achieve.
Irabor, in his valedictory speech during the pulling-out ceremony at Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja, said that the debts the country owe to men and women who serve in the armed forces cannot be repaid fully.
He expressed satisfaction with his service in the military, saying that he is leaving the Armed Forces today bigger and stronger than he met it.
Irabor also appealed to citizens not to engage in acts that can undermine the Nigerian military, saying that the military stands as a beacon of hope, unity and stability that must be protected.
He expressed optimism in the ability of his successor to beat the records set so far in the armed forces.
In attendance at the event were senior military officers, former Chiefs of Defense Staff, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and the Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori.
Credible News recalls that Irabor was appointed as the Chief of Defence Staff by former President, Muhammadu Buhari in 2021, succeding General Abayomi Olonisakin.
His tenure as the defence chief came to an end on June 19, 2023 when President Bola Tinubu replaced all the incumbent service chiefs and replaced them with new ones.
The President replaced Gen. Irabor with Maj. Gen. C.G Musa, who is now the Acting Chief of Defence Staff pending his confirmation by the Senate.
Other Service Chiefs appointed alongside Gen. Musa are Maj. Gen T. A. Lagbaja as the Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral E. A. Ogalla as the Chief of Naval Staff, and AVM H.B. Abubakar as the Chief of Air Staff.
Also appointed are DIG Kayode Egbetokun as the Acting Inspector-General of Police and Maj. Gen. EPA Undiandeye as the Chief of Defense Intelligence.
The President as well appointed former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu, as his new National Security Adviser and Adeniyi Adewale as the Acting Comptroller General of Customs.
Credible News reports that the pull out ceremony is a military tradition to honour retiring generals. The event involved a march past by the officers of the armed forces.