The former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Adm. Ola Ibrahim, on Friday commended the progress made by the Federal Government in the fight against terrorism.
Ibrahim made the commendation in a Valedictory Speech at the Pulling-Out Parade held in his honour in Abuja.
“I must commend the commitment of the C-in-C in the ongoing efforts to surmount the lingering security challenges facing the country.
“These are challenging times for Armed Forces. We have learnt a lot of lessons. Like I often say, by these experiences, our armed forces will come out stronger.
“Indeed, no leader in recent past has been confronted with daunting and complicated security challenges like the incumbent C-in-C.‘’
Ibrahim said in the face of all these distractions, however, the President had shown exemplary courage in confronting the monster.
He explained that the distractions caused by the challenges necessitated massive deployment of human and material resources, resulting in increased utilisation of resources.
According to him, measures taken by President Goodluck Jonathan and the commitment of officers and men have yielded tremendous progress in the ongoing fight against terror.
He said Jonathan’s commitment and goodwill would continue to spur the armed forces to deal decisively with evil forces bent on destroying the country’s bond of brotherhood.
The ex-CDS urged the armed forces and other security agencies to continue to collaborate and do their best in the defence and security of the country.
“At this juncture, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to all those without whose support and encouragement I would not have achieved the much I did in the course of my career, especially as the CDS,” he said.
On his part, Supervising Minister of Defence, Mr Labaran Maku, described the former CDS as a professional soldier who had put in his best in the service of the nation.
Maku, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Alhaji Aliyu Isma’ila, said Ibrahim was humble, patriotic, honest and focused with exemplary leadership.
“I am happy he is retiring meritoriously and I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours.
“I know that the new CDS is going to carry along all other service chiefs.
“From our own side in the Ministry of Defence, we will continue to provide support services for them to carry out their duties.”
Ibrahim, who hails from Kwara State, was born on June 15, 1955, and enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Course 17, in December 1974.
He was appointed the Chief of Naval Staff on Sept. 8, 2010, and was elevated to the post of the CDS on Oct. 4, 2012, a position he held until Jan. 16, 2014. [NAN]
