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…..President greets Shonekan’s widow at 84 Following their appointments three days ago, President Bola Tinubu on Monday held a maiden meeting with the new service chiefs. The closed-door meeting focused essentially on security reviews and new strategies on how to make the country safer, according to Presidency sources. The State House had earlier said the fresh appointments reflected a strategic realignment aimed at deepening professionalism, boosting troop morale, and strengthening inter-agency coordination in national security operations. Those who attended the meeting were the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Major-General Waheedi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke; and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General Emmanuel Undiendeye. Undiendye was re-appointed by Tinubu while he relieved the other former service chiefs of their duties. The National Assembly is expected to screen the new security chiefs any time soon when the President forwards their names to the Senate and the House of Representatives. Nigeria has lately battled terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, putting pressure on the equipment and manpower of security forces. Meanwhile, Tinubu on Monday congratulated former First Lady, Chief Margaret Shonekan, on her 84th birthday coming up on October 28. “The President celebrates the wife of the former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, and the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of United African Company (UAC), whose exemplary humility and kindness continue to inspire”, a State House statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, said. It added, “Mrs Shonekan devoted her entire career to the strengthening of public institutions, with a focus on promoting effective service delivery, providing qualitative and reliable educational assessments for students, encouraging academic and moral excellence, and promoting human resource development. “She started her career as a Trainee Assistant Registrar at the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in 1965, Deputy Registrar, Federal Civil Service Commissioner, 1986 till 1994, and later Head of the National Office of WAEC, 1995-2000, at a most difficult time. “I commend her patriotism, courage and commitment to the development of education in Nigeria, exemplified by her return to her former office, WAEC, in 1994 after serving as Nigeria’s first lady for three months.” Tinubu prayed for her continued well-being and beseeched God to grant her good health, strength, and a sound mind. ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
