By Emeka Amaefula
PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU SACKS SERVICE CHIEFS, APPOINTS NEW OFFICERS
The President of federal republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday 19th of June, 2023 via a circular signed by the Willie Bassey Director, Information Office of the Secretary To the Government of the Federation-SGF announced the approval of Mr. President of the retirement of all service Chiefs and Inspector General of Police, Advisers, Comptroller-General of Customs from Service. Their retirement is with immediate effect while their replacement also takes effect with the same timeline.
The Newly appointed Officers are as follows: Rear Admiral E.A Ogalla as Chief of Naval Staff; Air Vice Marshal H.B Abubakar Chief of Air Staff; Mallam Nuhu Ribadu ads National Security Adviser, while Major General C.G Musa is Chief of Defense Staff; Major T.A Lagbaja is Chief of Army Staff; Deputy Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun is the Acting Inspector-General of Police: Major General EPA Undianyeye is Chief of of Defense Intelligence.
Other crucial appointments were made in the security circle which include the appointments of Col. Adebisi Onasanya as Brigade of Guards Commander; Lt. Col. Moshood Abiodun Yusuf in charge of 7 Guards Battalion, Asokoro Abuja; Lt. Col. Auwalu Baba Inuwa in charge of 177, Guards Battalion, Keffi, Nasarawa; Lt. Col. Mohammed J. Abdulkarim to be in charge of 102 Guards Battalion, Suleja, Niger; Lt. Col. Olumide A. Akingbesote is in charge of 176 Guards Battalion, Gwgwalada, Abuja.
In a similar vein, President Tinubu appointed several Military Officers in the Presidential Villa as below: Major Isa Farouk Audu (N/14695) Commanding Officer State House Artillery; Capt. Kazeem Olalekan Sunmonu (N/16183) Second-In-Command, State House Artillery; Major Kamaru Koyejo Hamzat (N/14656) Commanding Officer, State House Military Intelligence: Major TS Adeola (N/12860) as Commanding Officer, State House Armament and Lt. A. Aminu (N/18578) as Second-In-Command, State House Armament.
In line with his efforts in constituting his support staff, Mr. President approved the appointment of the following Special Advisers and Senior Assistants as Hadiza Bala Usman a former General Manager Nigerian Ports Authority, is now Special Adviser on Policy Coordination as Hannatu Musa Musawa is Special Adviser, Culture and Entertainment Economy. Senator Abdullahi Abubakar Gumel is Senior Special Assistant, National Assembly Matters (Senate) and Honourable (Barr.) Olarewaju Kunle Ibrahim is Senior Special Assistant, National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives).
In his quest to revitalize the economy, Mr. President approved the appointment of Adeniyi Bashir Adewale as Acting Comptroller General of Customs. Those appointed on Acting capacity are to remain on such status pending the confirmation of such appointments in accordance with laid down constitutional provision of the 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria as Amended.
There has been high profile consideration of cabinet formation by the Presidency and this exercise is coming at a time when political faithfuls are looking forward to having the Executive cabinet constituted soon.
