The immediate past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa (retd.), on Friday said he was leaving the Nigerian Armed Forces after 34 years of service, with a clear conscience, having given his all to the military and the fight against insecurity.
Speaking at his pull-out parade in Abuja, Musa said he served the country with dedication and accountability throughout his years in the military.
He said, “As I hang my uniform today, I do so with a clear conscience, knowing that I gave my all. I leave with cherished memories of camaraderie of battles fought and triumphs celebrated as one family. The sound of the bugle may change for me, but the soldier’s heart beats on forever.”
Musa thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing him as Chief of Defence Staff, describing the opportunity as an honour he did not take for granted.
He also pledged continued loyalty to the President and the nation even in retirement.
“I might be retiring from active military service today, but I’m by no means retiring from my love for our dear country, Nigeria. I remain a soldier at heart and a patriot ever loyal to the constitution and sovereignty of our great nation. Once again, I appreciate Mr President for the opportunity to serve as the Chief of Defence Staff for two years plus,” he said.
The retired general called for stronger collaboration among security and intelligence agencies, stressing that the fight against insecurity cannot be won by the military alone.
“I want to state this clearly that there is no single institution, no single organisation that can win this war alone. We must synergise, we must collaborate, we must fight together, and I appeal to all Nigerians to pray for our troops, to pray for our security forces so that we can win, and together we shall succeed. Nigeria shall continue to develop,” he said.
He also congratulated his successor, General Olufemi Oluyede, and urged officers and personnel to give him and other service chiefs the same level of loyalty and professionalism.
Musa expressed gratitude to his family, describing them as “unsung heroes” who stood by him through years of service. He also appreciated the media and other security agencies for their support during his tenure.
General Musa was appointed Chief of Defence Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu as part of a major change in the nation’s security leadership. His exit from the role followed the appointment of General Oluyede to assume office as the new CDS on Thursday.
Meanwhile, in 1986, Musa gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), where he pursued and obtained a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree upon graduation in 1991. That same year, he was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant.
In September 1991, he joined the 38th Regular Course 21 at the NDA and later completed a Mechanical Transportation Officers Course in 1992.