The office of the Chief of Defence Staff of any country is a very strategic one. Lilly livered souls are not designed to occupy such office.
It’s a very sensitive coordinating arm of military operations where security apparatus of a nation designs and formulate security policies.
In Nigeria, notable military officers has occupied that office in the past.
One notable officer that appeals to my memory and which has given that office a distinct class till date was General Domkat Yah Bali, who Served from January 1, 1984, to January 10, 1990
and Played a significant role in shaping up the security around President Ibrahim Babangida military administration.
On the international scene, General Colin Powell, the American joint Chief of Defence Staff comes readily into mind.
Colin Powell wasn’t exactly a Chief of Defence Staff, but he held a similar position. He was the 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest military position in the United States Department of Defense, serving from October 1989 to September 1993. In this role, he oversaw 28 crises, including ;
*Invasion of Panama, and Removing General Manuel Noriega from power in 1989
*Operation Desert Storm where he Led the military response during the Persian Gulf War against Iraq in 1990-1991
As Chairman, Powell formulated the; Powell Doctrine, which advocates for Overwhelming force by Using maximum force to achieve objectives and minimize casualties.
He also formulated Clear objectives, by Defining clear goals before engaging in military action.
General Christopher Gwabin Musa, the Ex-while Nigeria Chief of Defence Staff, if property observed , is a student of colins Powell soldering Doctrine. No wonder, one of the numerous Awards accumulated on his wall crest is the ; colins Powell meritorious Award for soldering (2022).
General Christopher Musa has had notable international involvement in his military career. Some highlights include;
I United Nations Peacekeeping Missions where he Served in the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL)
He was Part of Nigeria’s Foreign Training Assistance Mission to Liberia.
He was the Commander of Sector 3 Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Region.
General Christopher Gwabin Musa was well trained to merit every of his command posting, which includes the chief of Defence Staff .
He Trained at the US Army War College
He Attended the International College of Defence Studies, National Defence University (ICDS-NDU) in China
He was a Participant in the Combined Joint Land Component Commander’s Course on Leadership
Throughout his stay as the Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, he displayed his professionalism.
One outstanding legacy as a soldier was his never say die by refusing any form of negotiation with terrorists and bandits. According to him, ” with his experiences as commander of Operation Hadin Kai, these terrorists will renege in the agreement made and regroup”.
Obviously, these beliefs of his has earn him enemies among the northern hegemonies, and by coming out in many fora to condemn negotiation is one of the reasons for his removal as postulated by many analyst.
Obviously, Fights against bandits and terrorist is now one of the richest sources of cheap monies. Hence, some political stalwarts whom we believe Government knows some, are bent on keeping their sources of cheap fund.
General Christopher Gwabin Musa also beliefs in the international conspiracy theory as perpetuated by the big weapon manufacturing nations who must sell their waepon. This can be achieved when there are wars.
General Christopher Gwabin Musa has done his bits and is leaving behind Arm forces that are all fired up and ready to confront the root causes of this evil pandemic.
He has , like General Domkat Bali, given a new meaning to the office of the Chief of Defence Staff.
No human is perfect, but the barrages of tributes and goodwill messages being poured out to him, shows how well he has endowed himself into the heart of Nigerians within the period he has served in that office.
His iconic soldering is a legacy that will be remembered in Nigeria security history for a long time.