BY EDMOND ODOK – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has read the riot act for Nigeria’s Security Chiefs, warning that failure is not an option under his administration.
Consequently, he has challenged them to ensure conclusive victory against the myriad of security threats facing the country in the shortest time possible.
Addressing the Security Chiefs and Heads of intelligence agencies at a Presidential Security Briefing in the State House, Abuja on Friday, President Tinubu said while good progress was being made with the elimination of some security threats across multiple theatres, success would ultimately be defined by a final conclusion to the multi-dimensional menace.
He told them that without finally wrapping up productive onslaughts against enemies of progress, the targeted $1 trillion economy in the next few years would remain an unrealisable dream.
According to him, the present administration cannot afford to disappoint Nigerians and all necessary measures must be taken to ensure that anything seeking to undermine the country’s security in terms of threat to lives and property is not allowed to fester going forward.
President Tinubu, who also warned against a repeat of avoidable bombing of civilians and soft targets in any part of the country, applauded the current synergy among the various security agencies, stressing that; “We have too many investments that we need to make now in soft and physical infrastructure, in social security, in MSME empowerment, and other growth enablers.
“We are pursuing a $1 trillion economy in the next few years, and our efforts will be undermined if we do not finally wrap up our progressive onslaught against enemies of progress. Be encouraged.
“The confidence of our people in your capacity is rising, and they are appreciative of the sacrifices of our men and women. The success you are recording is undeniable. Nigerians are seeing it, but the avoidable errors, as witnessed recently in Kaduna, are unacceptable and cannot be repeated.”
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale further quoted him as saying; “I am pleased that coordination between all agencies has dramatically improved over recent months, but there is no room for celebrations until we can end this; until we can bring our troops back to their own localities, and until we can free up resources for our critical economic expansion programme,”
The statement said that while charging the security agencies to sustain the momentum, the President maintained that “Failure is not an option under my leadership”, even as he also stressed that the armed forces must deliver on his objective to ensure the nation achieves a sustainable production of two million barrels of crude oil per day, including condensates, within the first quarter of 2024.
Specifically, the President also told his audience; “I do not play with my intelligence reports. I have multiple lines of sight. The Navy and sister branches must step up their game to achieve our aims for the benefit of all Nigerians. All malign actors will be aggressively uprooted from our midst. Those working against the national agenda from within and without will meet justice. Your task is clear. We will sustain our momentum. Failure is not an option under my leadership.”
President Tinubu also used the occasion to praise the Commander of the Presidential Air fleet (PAF), the Commander of the Brigade of Guards (BoG), and his Chief Personal Security Officer (CPSO) for their dedication and commitment in discharging assigned responsibilities, noting that this has earned them their well deserved promotions.
The President, who expressed satisfaction with the conduct of all the promoted officers, said he was very impressed by their “loyalty and dedication to duty”.
Among those decorated were the PAF Commander, Air Commodore Olayinka Olusola Oyesola, with his new rank of Air Vice Marshal in the Nigerian Air Force; Commander, BoG, Adebisi Olusegun Onasanya, promoted from Colonel to the rank of Brigadier-General; and the Police CPSO, Usman Musa Shugaba, now a Deputy Commissioner of Police up from his former rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police.
All the newly promoted officers were decorated by the President in the presence of their spouses. He was ably assisted in the exercise by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar; the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja; and the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
Among those at the occasion were the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; the Service Chiefs; Heads of Intelligence Agencies, as well as presidential aides.
Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the officers, AVM Olayinka thanked the President for the elevation enjoyed by the officers and also the privilege to dutifully serve the country.
He assured the President of their continued commitment to duty as well as loyalty to the country and him as the Commander-in-Chief.
