BEVERLY HILLS, CA, January 30, (THEWILL) – The Senate Thursday confirmed the appointment of the new service chiefs following their successful screening by the Senate Committee on Defence, Army, Navy and Air Force and the adoption of their report by the Senate during plenary.
The service chiefs were nominated by President Goodluck Jonathan on January 16, 2014.
They are Major General Tobiah Minimah (Chief of Army Staff), Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin (Chief of Naval Staff), Vice Marshall Adesola Amosu (Chief of Air Staff) and Air Marshall Alex Badeh (Chief of Defence Staff).
UPDATE:
The Senate on Thursday unanimously confirmed the appointment of new Service Chiefs recently forwarded to it by President Goodluck Jonathan.
This was despite the planned blockage of the confirmation by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) senators as directed by National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.
The confirmation was sequel to the recommendations of the joint Senate Committee on Defense and Army, Navy and Air Force presented by the committee chairman, Senator George Thomson Sekibo.
The new Service Chiefs are Air Marshall Alex Badeh ( Chief of Defence Staff); Major General Kenneth Minimah ( Chief of Army Staff) ; Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin (Chief of Naval Staff; and Air Vice Marshall Adesola Amosu ( Chief of Air Staff).
Senators from the opposition APC had flouted their party’s orders to participate in the screening process of the service chiefs.
In his submissions before the confirmation, Minority Leader, Senator George Akume, clarified that the opposition was not against the confirmation of the service chiefs contrary to popular belief, adding that Nigerians are proud of the military. He said the country needs Service Chiefs that will protect and defend the country.
He however appealed to the new Service Chiefs to ensure that their appointment signals a marked departure from the past, citing the impunity currently going on in Rivers State.
“We are not against them, we support them, they must live up to the expectations and respect the constitution,” Akume said.
In his contribution , Senator Sani Saleh( Kaduna APC), supported the appointment of the service chiefs, noting that they have fulfilled all criteria.
The Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, after the confirmation, urged them to carry out their duties professionally. He also maintained that the process shows that Nigeria’s democracy is growing since it was the first time the senate would be confirming service chiefs nominated by the president.
“I am proud of our democracy; it is growing, this is the standard practice all over the world and we will do our best to ensure that our democracy is sustained and we hope they will fulfill the expectations of Nigerians, ” Ekweremadu said.
