The Senate yesterday, after several hours of screening, confirmed the newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and service chiefs. The screening which lasted for about four hours, was held in a closed door-session. President Muhammadu Buhari recently requested the Red Chamber in a letter addressed to the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to approve the appointments he made on July 13. Saraki urged the security chiefs to live above board.
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Buhari also named Air Vice-Marschal Monday Morgan as Chief of Defence Intelligence and retired Major-General Babagana Monguno (retd) as National Security Adviser (NSA).
At the commencement of plenary last week after a five-week recess, Saraki announced that the service chiefs would be screened yesterday. Those confirmed include Major-General Abayomi Olonishakin, CDS, Major-General Tukur Buratai, Chief of Army Staff; and Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, Chief of Naval Staff; Air Vice-Marshal Sadique Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff.
The screening dominated yesterday’s activities in the Senate . Shortly after approving the votes and proceedings of the last sitting, Senate Leader Ali Ndume, in a motion which was seconded by the Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio ushered the service chiefs into the chamber.
But the Senate President quickly announced that the lawmakers would go into an executive session as a result of the sensitive nature of security matters. There was no objection to the decision.
Both Ndume and Akpabio seconded a motion to that effect. The chamber entered into the executive session at 11:25 am and did not come out until 4:15 pm.
Speaking on what transpired, Saraki said the Senators raised questions and advised the service chiefs regarding what Nigerians expect from them. He said such counsel and questions were based on their expected responsibilities.
Besides, the Senate President, who insisted that the appointments of the service chiefs were based on merit, stressed that they must live up to the responsibilities of their offices, particularly as they pertain to the war against Boko Haram in the North-East. Saraki said: “It is clear that their appointments were based on merit. Their appointments as we all see the action is coming at a very crucial time with a lot of challenges, particularly the insurgents in the North-East and some of the other security issues. For example, the issue of oil theft that we talked about when they came before us.”
He advised the military heads to eliminate corruption in the procurement process even as he urged them to curb oil theft which he said had adversely affected the economy.
According to him, addressing these problems would restore the image of the military establishment, which he claimed is currently not in a good light.
The Senate President said: “We hope that during their period of time, they will take up the responsibility required. We are all keen to restore the image and reputation of the Armed Forces. I believe that what we are starting today with their confirmation is the beginning of that journey to restore the glory of the Armed Forces of our great country.
“It is very important also as we emphasised to them on the issue of procurement procedure in the Armed Forces. It is an area that they must work hard to root out corruption in this process. We must leave behind those days where basic equipment and all these issues that we believe should be available for our men and women out there should be made available.”
The Sun.
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