Jonathan Decorates New CDS, Service Chiefs, Asks Them To Tackle Security Challenges

President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday in Abuja tasked the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS),  Adm. Ola Ibrahim and the three service chiefs on national security and rising incidences of crude oil theft.

The president set the task when he decorated the CDS, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Dele Ezeoba and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Alex Badeh, with their new ranks.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, who retained his position and rank in the new appointments made by the president on Oct. 4, was not decorated.

``I will like to use this forum to specially charge you to rise to the remaining security challenges confronting our nation today, most specifically the Chief of Naval Staff along with his officers and men have onerous responsibility of scaling security in our territorial waters.

``The unacceptable rising incidences of crude oil theft must be tackled frontally.

``Given the direct adverse implication of the activities of crude oil thieves on our national economy, I expect the chief of naval staff and the other service chiefs to immediately go to work to urgently bring the issue of crude oil theft to an end.’’

President Jonathan noted that the appointment of the new officers was based on the attributes of ``patriotism, professionalism, excellence, loyalty, dedication, courage and unwavering faith in Nigeria’’.

He said the service chiefs were taking up the command of the armed forces at a critical time when the nation faced security challenges.

...........Addresses The Nation, Tuesday

President Goodluck Jonathan is to address the nation on Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 7a.m., the Presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati said in Abuja on Monday.

Abati did not give further details, but advised radio and television stations to hook up to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria for the broadcast.

However, on Oct. 1, the president addressed the nation in commemoration of the country’s 52nd anniversary.