Reflecting on his tenure as the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retd) asserted that he has effectively bolstered the military’s capacity to confront adversaries, surpassing the state in which he inherited it. Recognizing the formidable challenges posed by the country’s vast diversity, he acknowledged the arduous nature of the task.
General Lucky Irabor (retd) was invited to speak at a farewell ceremony held in his honor on Friday in Abuja.
He words: ‘National security for a large and diverse country like Nigeria is not an easy task, but it is also not an impossible one. In 2021, the security situation of the nation was admittedly in a state of dynamic plus. Efforts made by the federal government of Nigeria using the AFN in collaboration with the NPF, other security agencies, and critical stakeholders were in different stages of gestation. 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.’
General Lucky Irabor (retd) proudly declared that under his leadership, the military had made remarkable headway in mitigating the risks associated with terrorism, piracy, and other pertinent challenges.
Irabor said, ‘In more specific terms, we have significantly curtailed the threats of terrorism, insurgency, piracy, sea robberies, vandalism of critical national assets and kidnappings, and military aid to civil authority.’
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‘We successfully work in conjunction with other security agencies and stakeholders to deliver a physical security environment that is amenable for Law and Order, critical democratic processes, as well as human security and national development.’
During his speech, General Lucky Irabor (retd) implored the citizens to show appreciation for the military and refrain from undermining its service, underscoring its invaluable position as a beacon of hope for the nation.
Irabor added, ‘Without doubt, the nation should be proud of its military, to whom too many security concerns seem to now be consigned. I therefore state with a sense of responsibility but as a nation, we should avoid the deliberate or inadvertent inclination to denigrate the contributions of the armed forces to national security, unity, and stability. Our military stands as a beacon of hope, strength, and resilience in an increasingly complex world.’
General Lucky Irabor (retd) concluded by expressing confidence in leaving behind a military that is bigger, stronger, and more capable of fulfilling its constitutional mandate and critical national security functions.