…By Dorcas Funmi for TDPel Media.
General Lucky Irabor, the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya, the outgoing Chief of Army Staff, and Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, the outgoing Chief of Navy, are preparing to hand over their positions to their successors on Friday.
Additionally, Air Marshal Oludayo Amao, the outgoing Chief of Air Staff, will hand over to his successor today.
Retirement of Service Chiefs and Appointment of Successors
The retirement of the service chiefs was announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday.
He simultaneously announced the appointment of Maj. Gen. Christopher Musa as the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja as the Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla as the Chief of Naval Staff, and Air Vice Marshal Abubakar as the Chief of Air Staff.
However, the new service chiefs have not assumed their positions as formal handovers have not taken place.
Handover Process and Ceremonies
According to Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, the Director of Defence Information, the official handover ceremonies will occur on Friday.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, confirmed that the handover process has already begun.
The outgoing Chief of Army Staff held virtual meetings with commanders and heads of service establishments, expressing gratitude for their support and urging them to extend the same level of assistance to his successor.
The handover is tentatively scheduled for Friday, pending the completion of necessary preparations such as the handover note.
New Chief of Naval Staff Resumes, Handover on Thursday
Air Commodore Ayodele Famuyiwa, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Air Force, announced that the new Chief of Naval Staff has already assumed his duties.
The handover ceremony for the Chief of Naval Staff is scheduled to take place on Thursday.
In summary, the outgoing Nigerian Defence and Service Chiefs are preparing to hand over their positions to their successors.
The retirement and replacement of the service chiefs were announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but the formal handovers are yet to take place.
The handover ceremonies are expected to occur on Friday, with the Chief of Naval Staff’s handover scheduled for Thursday.