Gen Musa: Leading From the Front for Effective Synergy
By Olayemi Esan
“Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues.” – Confucius. The quote holds for General Christopher Gwabin Musa OFR, the 18th Chief of Defence Staff and a prominent leader with unique abilities to unite everyone.
With his decisive stint as one of the security architects of this country, General Musa shows it’s possible to grow into invitational leadership involving all the stakeholders to achieve common goals. We have had leaders for generations but very few of them received respect from their critics.
When I received the invitation to cover the courtesy visit of the CDS to the IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, I replied with my usual official style (Acknowledged, thank you). After a few minutes, my spirit being said, look at that Press invitation and read again, who is visiting who? The Chief of Defence Staff is visiting the Inspector General of Police, to boast synergy and to sympathize with the Nigeria Police Force on the demise of one of its personnel killed by some soldiers during a gundual in Adamawa and to assure him of justice.
A remarkable step by General Musa to lead from the front and display the courage to motivate. However, there is no “I” in his action and of course successes recorded so far in the ongoing military operations comes under his leadership as a result of this, Soldiers trust his leadership and the ability to work together as a force with the Police Force to continue to decimate the fighting force of the insurgents, terrorist and violent extremist across the country, thus, terrorists fighting capacity is now low and they are on the run.
When CDS General Musa visited the Force headquarters, the IGP was pleased with the assurance he gave that the Adamawa incident was being investigated and expressed optimism that the process would be thorough and transparent to prevent a repeat of the unfortunate incident. IGP Egbetokun expressed satisfaction with the inauguration of a panel of inquiry into the Adamawa clash, and a court martial that was set up to trial those army personnel found culpable in the killing of the police Inspector
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, should be commended too for visiting the Adamawa State Police Command Headquarters, where he offered his sympathies to the family of the late Inspector Jacob Daniel, who lost his life during the invasion of the police headquarters by the Army personnel.
Consequently, in a bid to strengthen the working relationship between the military and personnel of the Police and other paramilitary in the task of securing the nation both internally and against external aggression, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa OFR also led principal staff officers of the Defence Headquarters on an official visit to, the Nigeria Customs Service, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), which is first of its kind.
When Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Abubakar Audi expressed delight that General Musa is the first CDS to pay a visit to NSCDC. He commended the Armed Forces for participating in Internal Security operations, saying it has helped tremendously in degrading some criminal elements.
The 18th Chief of Defence Staff has made history and is warming people’s hearts with his deeds and actions. When you think of the 000solution to your confusion on security, it’s General Musa that comes to mind. A soldier of excellence who sacrifices all for the happiness of his nation.
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“Security agencies cannot be everywhere, you are also our eyes, the security is everyone’s business, when you see something say something and trust the military to act”
Anytime he delivered these lines, it was like a loud alarm clock in my head that I would always look so serious and feel the breath of hope for this nation in my blood.
General Musa who hails from Zangon Kataf, southern Kaduna State, Nigeria is the soldier who sees the same thing the masses are seeing and acting appropriately to improve the security challenges. Some leaders enjoy the comfort of their big air-conditioned offices but he won’t wait until you visit him, he is ready to come to your haven to show and teach you mutual respect and love.
Additionally, General Musa also visited Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja and expressed gratitude for the critical role played by the Nigeria Customs Service in the nation’s security landscape. He stressed the importance of interagency cooperation in tackling non-state actors and securing the nation, he highlighted the indispensable nature of the Customs Service, stating that without their contribution, the country’s defence efforts would be severely compromised.
Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi lauded the collaborative efforts between the Nigeria Customs Service and the armed forces, emphasizing the critical role such partnerships play in national security. While acknowledging the global challenges, CGC Adeniyi reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service towards collaboration, innovation, and consultations. He emphasized that unity strengthens the nation, stating, “We stand stronger when we work together.” He said reflecting on past collaborations with the Defense Headquarters, CGC Adeniyi highlighted the support received in capacity building, joint operations, and training exercises.
So far, the current leadership in Nigeria Customs Service has demonstrated what we call a closed-door policy for bribery and corruption. When CGC Adeniyi expressed the Customs Service’s dedication to exploring innovative solutions to challenges, when the CDS visited him on Thursday 30th November 2023, he emphasized leveraging technology and working closely with other government agencies. The Comptroller-General also proposed an intensified joint exercise between the Customs Service and the military. He affirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to national security. He proposed ongoing cooperation, dialogue, and joint exercises to ensure a collective and effective response to evolving security threats.
General Christopher Gwabin Musa, the 18th Chief of Defence Staff possessed the culture of togetherness and ready to meet every challenge with care, easy in manner, yet solid as steel, strong in his faith, refreshingly real. He is an army General not afraid to propose what is bold, doesn’t conform to the usual mould, has eyes that have foresight, for hindsight, won’t do, never backs down when he sees what is true tells it all straight, and means it all too.
Going forward and knowing he’s right, even when doubted for why he would fight, over and over he makes his case clear, reaching to touch the ones who won’t hear.
Growing in strength, he won’t be unnerved, Ever assuring he’ll stand by his word. Wanting the world to join his firm stand, bracing for war, but for peace, using his power so evil will cease: so much a leader and worthy of trust,
Here stands a man who will do what he must.
Olayemi Esan is editor-in-chief of SpyeTV News
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