Toba Owojaiye Reporting
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Major General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has assured the ad-hoc House of Representatives Committee responsible for screening newly appointed Service Chiefs that the Nigerian Armed Forces, under his command, will create a secure and safe Nigeria, free from internal and external threats.
Major General Musa, formerly the Theatre Commander in the troubled North East region, where he played a crucial role in countering Boko Haram and other terrorist groups, conveyed this commitment during the opening session of the screening exercise held at the National Assembly in Abuja.
During the same session, the House of Representatives proposed the formation of a Space Force, drawing inspiration from the United States Space Force. Citing Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act, CAP A20 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, President Bola Tinubu nominated the service chiefs, and their names were forwarded to the National Assembly for confirmation.
While the Senate confirmed the service chiefs the previous Thursday, the House of Representatives conducted their screening through an ad-hoc committee on the following day. The newly appointed service chiefs include Major General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Major General Taofeed Lagbaja as Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla as Chief of Naval Staff, and Air Vice Marshall Hassan Abubakar as Chief of Air Staff.
Addressing the House of Representatives Committee before entering into a closed-door session, Major General Musa stated his commitment to building bridges and enhancing communication channels and synergy among the armed forces and security agencies. He emphasized the need for a concise approach to tackle the contemporary security challenges faced by the armed forces and other security agencies.
Major General Musa expressed his determination to create a conducive and secure environment for the protection of lives and property, enabling socio-economic growth. He acknowledged that the current security challenges require a collective effort and cannot be addressed by a single individual or service.
Major General Musa outlined a three-pronged approach to achieving his goals, focusing on a people-centric strategy that prioritizes troop welfare, deepens joint inter-agency cooperation, and ensures effective deployment of resources. The CDS recognized that a content and fulfilled soldier, airman, or seaman will yield the best results in carrying out their duties.
During the session, the chairman of the ad-hoc Committee, Babajimini Benson, highlighted the importance of Nigeria establishing a Space Force similar to the United States Space Force. Benson acknowledged the progress made by Nigeria’s Defense Space Administration (DSA) but emphasized the need for a fully formed Space Force. He emphasized that securing the lives and property of Nigerians is a collective responsibility and highlighted the commitment of the 10th House of Representatives to legislate and govern for the well-being and peace of the country.
Following the screening exercise, the ad-hoc Committee is expected to present its report during the plenary session on Tuesday for confirmation. Benson commended the quality of the nomination of the Service Chiefs by the President, noting their practical backgrounds, exemplary service records, and demonstrated passion for the welfare of the Nigerian people and their troops.