The All Progressives Youth Forum (APYF) has urged Nigerians to be patient with the new service chiefs by supporting them to enable them perform their duties of protecting the country’s territorial integrity.
Mr Abu Andrew, spokesman of the forum made the call at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja, while congratulating the new service chiefs on their appointment.
Andrew added that the support of Nigerians was critical to enable the service chief tackle emerging security threats in the country.
“Nigerians should offer them full support in the firm belief that President Muhammadu Buhari must have considered their long years of experience in arriving at the decision to saddle them with the responsibilities of prosecuting our nation’s security policies,“ he said.
He said that the new service chiefs had the capacity to end terrorism in the country, saying that Nigerians should expect nothing less than victory from them.
He wished them a successful tenure and prayed that they would be able to sustain and build on the recent successes achieved by their predecessors.
“We have looked at their resumes, and we can say that they are stellar and deserving of the roles they are going to be playing.
“They are experienced in the battlefield terrain, and we are sure that these service chiefs will deal the final blow that will end terrorism in Nigeria; Nigerians expect victory, and nothing less,“ he said.
Andrew said the forum was delighted by the appointment of the service chiefs because it believed that renewed invigoration was needed in the leadership of the armed forces.
He further said that the significant successes recorded by the immediate past service chiefs in the last days of their tenures were very encouraging.
This, he said, signified that the officers had the capacity to deal decisively with terrorists, bandits and criminals.
Andrew said it was fulfilling that the retired service chiefs bowed out with their heads high, after setting foundations that could be used as reference points in the war against terrorism.
He wished them a peaceful retirement and long life to witness a completely secured Nigeria that would serve as legacy for their long years of sacrifices.
“Our prayers are with the newly appointed service chiefs and indeed, with all gallant officers who have continued to work day and night in a bid to ensure we all live peacefully in a well secured country.
“May your efforts and those of all our fallen heroes never be in vain, and may Nigeria, during our lifetime, live up to its promise of a peaceful and prosperous nation,“ he said.
The new service chiefs are Maj.-Gen. Leo Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff; Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral Awwal Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff; and AVM Isiaka Amao, Chief of Air Staff.