The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Major Gen Lucky Irabor, has said that it is time the military for the military to seize the initiative and take the fight against the nation’s adversaries to wherever they are domiciled.

Speaking while unveiling his leadership philosophy in Abuja over the weekend, Gen Irabor said, “Now is the time, that the task must be done.

“The appointment has come at a defining moment in the annals of our great nation. At all times, but particularly at a critical time such as this, the call to serve comes with a huge responsibility, which elicits a clear direction and philosophy of leadership to act as guiding principles of conduct behaviour and a roadmap for action. 

“The overall import of these reflections is to emplace a homogeneous, highly-motivated, disciplined and mission-ready AFN to deliver its constitutional roles and contribute its quota as a foremost national institution to facilitate national security, peace, stability and sustainable development of the nation”.

The CDS said he will promote synergy and mission command as essential elements for operational planning and execution for all security challenges requiring military intervention across the nation.

He said this is because no Service can do it alone and secondly, it is to enable disciplined initiative within any commander’s intent to empower agile and adaptive leadership in the conduct of joint operations pointing out that the ultimate purpose is to maximize relative combat power at any decisive point and time.

He added that he will promote active cooperation and collaboration between the military and other relevant stakeholders, key players, departments, agencies and organizations in aggregating overall national resource endowments to comprehensively deter, counter, overcome or resolve all security challenges across the nation requiring military intervention.

General Irabor said the privilege and honour to lead thousands of patriotic and distinguished Servicemen and women who constantly put their lives in harm’s way in the interest of the nation is very clear to him.

His words, ““As we begin a new phase, it is imperative to understand the basis of leadership and followershipfas well as the covenant of duty, responsibility and service to the nation. 

“I envisage a knowledge-driven, skill-based, object-focused, fiscally responsible, systematic, creative, forward-looking, ethical and citizen-minded, conscientious and caring armed forces. I look forward to a defence organization where personnel contribute on the basis of their knowledge, hard and soft skills as well as humane aptitudes.

“I recognize the importance of preserving the time-proven standards of competence that distinguished leaders throughout history. In specific terms, I will advocate for competence, skills and experience, diligence and commitment, decisiveness, honesty, integrity, trust and passion for service”.

END