•Navy denies alleged handover stalemate, new CNS takes over Friday
•Abbas: Appointment of NSA, service chiefs, others in nation’s interest
Deji Elumoye and Udora Orizu in Abuja
The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, yesterday, assumed duty as the 22nd Inspector-General of Police, with a pledge to emplace intelligence-led policing and run a transparent as well as accountable leadership.
This was as the Nigerian Navy, yesterday, debunked reports that the former Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, refused to hand over to his successor, Rear Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla, saying the new CNS would assume office tomorrow, Friday.
At the same time, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has congratulated the new National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the Service Chiefs and the acting Comptroller General of Customs, among others, on their appointments by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying their choices were in nation’s interest.
Egbetokun, who was appointed the chief law enforcement officer of the federation by Tinubu on Monday, was handed over the mantle of leadership by his predecessor, Usman Ali Baba.
Pledging to emplace intelligence-led policing and run a transparent and accountable leadership, the new police helmsman also promised to offset six months salary arrears owed police constables within one month.
The handing and taking over of leadership between the former and new police chief was held in a brief but colourful ceremony at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The event climaxed with the symbolic handover of the Nigerian national and police flags.
Egbetokun thanked Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him, saying, “it is a commitment, a calling to make a difference in the shared mission to safeguard the lives and wellbeing of everyone that lives in our great country. I thank Mr President for my appointment and confidence reposed in me to pilot the affairs of the Nigerian Police Force.
“We will work with the rank and file. Together, we will build a police force the nation will be proud. Accountability will be the hallmark of my administration. I will work to regain the confidence of Nigerians in our internal investigative system and ensure the highest standards of professionalism.
“I will sustain and review some aspects of community policing and emplace intelligence-led policing. NPF under my leadership will strive for transparency and accountability,” he said.
He assures the people that the police under his leadership, would strive for excellence, transparency, and accountability in order to rebuild public trust, restore confidence “in our law enforcement institutions, and create a Nigeria, where every citizen feels safe, protected, and respected.”
He further assured Nigerians that his administration would unveil new tactics to release the great capacity of the Nigeria Police to secure the nation, build lasting peace and deliver on the vision of the president for a thriving and prosperous Nigeria.
Navy Denies Alleged Handover Stalemate
The Nigerian Navy, yesterday, debunked reports that the former Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, has refused to hand over to his successor, Rear Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla.
A statement by the spokesman of the Nigerian Navy, Commodore Adetotun Ayo-Vaughan, said the alleged development was untrue.
According to him, the Navy, like other military arms, was following the traditional procedure for handover of the mantle of leadership.
He said contrary to reports on the matter, the handover ceremony has been scheduled to tomorrow, Friday.
“The attention of the Naval Headquarters has been drawn to a malicious publication by some online media and others alleging the refusal of the outgoing Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral AZ Gambo to hand over to the incoming Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral EI Ogalla.
“The media reports are totally lies, misleading and capable of spreading falsehood to unsuspecting members of the public. It is, therefore, necessary to put the record straight. Suffice it to state that handing and taking over ceremony in the Nigerian Navy from inception is procedural.
“Upon the announcement of the change of the ‘Watch on Deck’, the outgoing CNS is expected to give detailed brief to the incoming CNS, tour key naval facilities and perform the ceremonial lowering of ensign,” he explained further.
It said the programme of events leading to the formal handing and taking over ceremony has kicked off, to culminate at a public ceremony on Friday,’ June 23, 2023 in line with age-long naval tradition.
“Instructively, it is pertinent to mention that sister services are also due to hand over as they have set aside specific dates for their handing and taking over ceremonies. Members of the public are therefore advised to discountenance the malicious publication and erroneous information as a figment of the reporter’s imagination,” he said.
Abbas: Appointment of NSA, Service Chiefs, Others in Nigeria’s Interest
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas has congratulated the new National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu, Ribadu, the Service Chiefs and the acting Comptroller General of Customs on their appointments by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying their choices were in nation’s interest.
Abbas, in a statement, said the appointments of Malam Ribadu as NSA; Maj. Gen. C.G Musa as Chief of Defence Staff; Maj. T. A. Lagbaja as Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admirral E. A. Ogalla as Chief of Naval Staff; AVM H. B. Abubakar as Chief of Air Staff; DIG Kayode Egbetokun as the Acting Inspector-General of Police were in the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.
The speaker said he believed the appointments, subject to the approval of the National Assembly, would rejuvenate the security architecture in the country.
He said other appointments made by the president, such as that of Mr. Adeniyi Bashir Adewale as the Acting Comptroller General of Customs, among others, would make the institutions work better.
Abbas lauded Tinubu for taking the bold decision, which he said would make the current administration begin on a sound footing, and therefore urged the appointees to bring their experience of many years to bear in their new assignments so as to turn things around in the security system.
