“Nigerians Expect Results, Not Excuses” – Tinubu Tells New Service Chiefs
Nigerian President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has charged the newly decorated service chiefs to take carrying out their duties seriously and with utmost patrioticsm.
Mr President, who maintained Nigerian populace expects results rather than excuses, made the comment during the decoration ceremony of the newly appointed Service Chiefs at the State House, Abuja, on October 30, 2025.
The new service chiefs are General Olufemi Oluyede (Chief of Defence Staff), Major-General W. Shaibu (Chief Army Staff), Rear Admiral I. Abbas (Chief of Naval Staff) and Air Vice Marshall S.K Aneke (Chief of Air Staff).
He said: “I charge you, as the heads of our nation’s armed forces, to carry out your duties with patriotic zeal. Nigerians expect results, not excuses.”
Tinubu, who further pointed out that the ceremony was beyond the symbolism of decoration, said the country’s leadership would not fold its arms and allow the crisis ravaging parts of the nation to fester any longer.
” I charge you also to be innovative, pre-emptive, and courageous. Let’s stay ahead of those who seek to threaten our peace. Let us deploy technology where necessary. We cannot allow the crisis that began in 2009 to persist any longer,” President Tinubu insisted.
The speech fully read…
Distinguished Service chiefs,
1. I congratulate you on your appointment and subsequent confirmation by the Senate. As your Commander-in-Chief, I am entrusting you with a tremendous responsibility—one that you must approach with the highest standards of commitment and dedication.
2. Today’s ceremony is beyond the symbolism of decoration. It marks the beginning of our renewed effort to ensure the peace and security of all Nigerians. Each of you has been carefully selected for this critical task.
Security is an essential element without which everything else is rendered meaningless. There cannot be sufficient development if this fundamental aspect of human need is unmet. Our people and our nation must remain secure to enjoy the benefits of governance.
3. The government’s foremost duty is to protect the citizens. Over the years, our military has remained steadfast in defending our nation’s territorial integrity, with many soldiers paying the ultimate price for their service. In dark times, when terrorists and armed marauders held significant portions of our land, our gallant armed forces rose to the challenge and reclaimed those occupied territories.
4. We have restored peace to many areas previously under siege, rescued countless kidnapped citizens, and significantly diminished the capacity of the terror groups.
5. I thank our armed forces for their patriotism, diligence, and dedication to their duty. As your Commander-in-Chief, I sincerely appreciate your sacrifices, as I have repeatedly acknowledged.
6. However, challenges remain. Security threats are constantly evolving, constantly mutating. Of grave concern to our administration is the recent emergence of new armed groups in the North-Central, North-West, and parts of the South. We must not allow these new threats to fester. We must be decisive and proactive. Let us smash the new snakes right in the head.
7. I charge you, as the heads of our nation’s armed forces, to carry out your duties with patriotic zeal. Nigerians expect results, not excuses.
8. I charge you also to be innovative, pre-emptive, and courageous. Let’s stay ahead of those who seek to threaten our peace. Let us deploy technology where necessary. We cannot allow the crisis that began in 2009 to persist any longer.
9. I wish you success as you take up the challenge. I promise to provide all the support you need to get the job done.
10. Thank you, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May God continue to keep our armed forces safe.
