In what can be described as a major shakeup in the nation’s military, the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointments of new Service Chiefs for the Armed Forces.
The new appointees are Vice-Admiral Ola Ibrahim as the new Chief of Defence Staff.
He replaces the Air-Vice Marshall Oluseyi Petinrin, who has put in 35 years of service with the Nigerian Air Force.
Also appointed are Rear Admiral D.J. Ezeoba as Chief of Naval Staff and Air-Vice Marshall A.S. Badeh as Chief of Air Staff.
The incumbent Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Azubuike Ihejirika retained his position.
A presidential aide told Channels Television that the movement and retirement of the former service chiefs is not punitive as most of the affected officers have reached their retirement age.
The president thanked the outgoing Service Chiefs for their meritorious and commendable service to the nation, and wished them well in their future endeavours.
Air-Vice Marshall Petinrin (RTD) and the three service chiefs were appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan in September, 2010.
It would be recalled that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen Ihejirika, last week, declared that the Nigerian Army has commenced the process of reviewing upward the retirement age for its officers to 70 years old.
