Cooperate With New Service Chiefs, Northern Governors Tell Nigerians

Governors of the Northern part of Nigeria, under the auspices of Northern Governors Forum (NGF), have called on Nigerians to lend their support to the new service chiefs President Muhammadu Buhari appointed, Tuesday.

In a statement made available to newsmen Wednesday, Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, said the new service chiefs need the cooperation of Nigerians to effectively tackle the current insecurity bedeviling the nation.
He appealed to Nigerians to support and pray for the service chiefs as they provide leadership for the officers and men of the Armed Forces in the fight against insecurity in the country.
While commending the former service chiefs for giving their best in the service of the nation and welcoming the appointment of the new chiefs, Lalong stated that the cooperation of Nigerians was needed more than anything for the Generals to put up a final onslaught against protracted security challenges.
“We commend the President for taking the decision and ask the new service chiefs to put in their best, not only to meet the expectations of the Commander-in-Chief, but also that of Nigerians who have high expectations for enhanced security and safety of lives and property”, the statement said.
The Forum assured the new service chiefs of the support of the NGF as they set to discharge their duties, and advised them to “learn from their challenges in order to address the lingering problems of terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes that the nation has been battling to contain”.
Lalong also used the opportunity to thank the former service chiefs for their “courage, sacrifices and commitment towards protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and for dealing with internal threats during their stewardship”.
The new service chiefs are: Major-General Leo Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General Ibrahim Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air-Vice Marshal Isiaka Amao, Chief of Air Staff.
They replace General Abayomi Olonisakin, Chief of Defense Staff; Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, Chief of Army Staff; Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff.