The immediate past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, says he left the Nigeria Armed Forces bigger, stronger, and more capable to deliver on its constitutional mandate.

Irabor said this in his valedictory speech during the pulling out parade organised in his honour in Abuja on Friday, June 30, 2023.

The former CDS stated that he felt honoured to be pulled out after 37 years of unblemished service to the nation and having served as the CDS in the past 29 months.

According to him, ensuring national security in a large and diverse country like Nigeria is not an easy task.

Irabor said: “In 2021, the security situation of the nation was admittedly in a state of dynamic crux.

“Efforts made by the Federal Government of Nigeria using the armed forces in collaboration with the police, other security agencies, and critical stakeholders were in different stages of gestation.

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“We were encouraged to pursue these measures in addition to other initiatives to reinvigorate the national security architecture to deliver critical national security functions.

“I make bold to say that I’m leaving the armed forces of Nigeria today, bigger, stronger, and more capable to deliver on its constitutional mandate and national security functions.”

Irabor acknowledged the outstanding efforts of the nation’s courageous men and women in uniform and hailed them for their bravery, unwavering commitment, and dedication to service.

He stated that the services had singly and collectively expanded strategic capacities, operational reach and tactical competencies.

The former CDS added that the services were able to achieve the feat with great impetus and support from the Federal Government, strategic partners, state governments, and non-governmental organisations.

According to him, the support came in the form of gross expansion of military strength, platform acquisition, expansion of equipment holdings, provisions of funding, materials, and logistics.

The former CDS stressed that the support and inputs from the government and strategic partners helped the military under his command to significantly curtail the threats of terrorism, insurgency, piracy, sea robberies, vandalism of critical national assets, and kidnappings.

Irabor added that without doubt, the nation should be proud of its military who have remained unwavering in facing the many security concerns of the country.

The Star