An Australian-based Nigerian engineer, Olaoluwa Dawodu, has applauded President Bola Tinubu for what he described as a bold and necessary overhaul of the nation’s security leadership.
Dawodu, a Chartered Engineer from Isan-Ekiti who specialises in Mechanical Design, Maintenance, Reliability, and Projects, said the President’s decision to reshuffle the top hierarchy of the Armed Forces was “a step in the right direction towards strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.”
In a statement reacting to the development, Dawodu commended Tinubu for what he called “the much-needed changes,” urging the President to set measurable performance targets and timelines for the newly appointed Service Chiefs.
He also advised the President to relieve any officer who fails to meet the set benchmarks, adding that accountability and results should be the guiding principles of the administration’s security policy.
While congratulating the new Service Chiefs, the engineer charged them to “justify the confidence reposed in them by enhancing professionalism, vigilance, unity, and comradeship within the Armed Forces as they serve the nation with honour.”
Dawodu, who is widely known for his philanthropic contributions, said Nigerians expect tangible results in the fight against insecurity, noting that the reforms would only make an impact if they translate to improved safety across the country.
President Tinubu recently approved major changes in the security sector, sacking General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff and replacing him with Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, the immediate past Chief of Army Staff.
Also affected in the shake-up were the Chiefs of Army, Navy, and Air Force. General Waidi Shaibu was appointed Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas became Chief of Naval Staff, while Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke replaced Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar as Chief of Air Staff.
The President, however, retained Major General E.A.P. Undiendeye as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
The appointments, announced in a statement by presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare, came weeks after the reported arrest of 16 senior soldiers over an alleged coup plot, although the Presidency did not link the changes to the incident.
