Immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (retd.), says he is leaving office “with a clear conscience,” having served the nation with dedication and integrity throughout his nearly 40-year military career.
Speaking during his pull-out parade in Abuja on Friday, Musa said he gave his utmost to the Nigerian Armed Forces and to the fight against insecurity.
“As I hang my uniform today, I do so with a clear conscience, knowing that I gave it my all,” he said. “I leave with cherished memories of camaraderie — of battles fought and victories shared as one family. The sound of the bugle may change for me, but the soldier’s heart will forever beat.”
Musa expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for entrusting him with the role of Chief of Defence Staff, describing the appointment as a privilege he never took lightly. He pledged to remain loyal to the President and to Nigeria even in retirement.
“I may be retiring from active military service today, but I am by no means retiring from my love for our dear country,” he said. “I remain a soldier at heart, a patriot committed to the constitution and the sovereignty of our great nation.”
The former defence chief emphasized that sustainable success in the fight against insecurity depends on deeper collaboration among security and intelligence agencies.
He noted that no single institution can win the battle alone and appealed to Nigerians to continue praying for troops on the frontlines.
“We must synergise, we must collaborate, we must fight together,” he said. “I appeal to all Nigerians to pray for our troops and security forces so that we can win — and together we shall succeed. Nigeria will continue to grow and develop.”
Musa also congratulated his successor, General Olufemi Oluyede, urging officers and personnel to extend to him and other service chiefs the same loyalty and professionalism he enjoyed during his tenure.
He paid tribute to his family, calling them “the unsung heroes” who stood by him through long deployments and difficult missions. He also thanked the media and sister security agencies for their support throughout his service years.
General Musa was appointed Chief of Defence Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu as part of a sweeping overhaul of the country’s security leadership. His exit comes as General Oluyede formally assumed office as Nigeria’s new CDS on Thursday.
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