Atewe Congratulates Musa on Defence Appointment, Commends President for ‘Patriotic Choice’

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

Retired senior military officer and security strategist, Major General Emmanuel Jebe Atewe (rtd), MFR, has congratulated General Christopher Musa, the newly appointed Minister of Defence, describing his emergence as “a strategic, patriotic, and highly deserving decision by the President.”

General Atewe lauded the President for what he termed “one of the most consequential security appointments in recent years,” noting that General Musa’s operational depth and leadership pedigree make him well-suited to steer Nigeria’s defence architecture at a critical time.

“General Musa is an outstanding officer whose capacity has been tested across theatres of operation. His appointment reflects the President’s commitment to strengthening national security with men of proven integrity, competence, and courage,” Atewe said.
“I congratulate him wholeheartedly and wish him a tenure marked by stability, innovation, and lasting peace.”

He expressed confidence that the new Defence Minister would bring his trademark discipline and strategic clarity to bear in addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges, describing the appointment as evidence of the President’s “deep understanding of the security landscape.”

Major General Atewe (rtd), a respected figure in defence circles, served in several elite military formations, including as Commander, Guards Brigade, Abuja; Commander, Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation PULO SHIELD; Deputy Sector Commander, UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL); and Chief Instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

Under his leadership in the Niger Delta, crude oil theft reportedly dropped from about 70,000 barrels per day to 3,000 barrels per day—a feat widely acknowledged by industry leaders and security stakeholders. He also initiated the construction of a purpose-built JTF barracks in Yenagoa, saving the Defence Headquarters close to ₦100 million annually.

A recipient of the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award, and several international recognitions, Atewe is a Fellow of the National Defence College and holds a Master’s in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan. He is currently completing a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies, focusing on international organizations and dispute resolution in Africa.

Stakeholders say Atewe’s endorsement of General Musa’s appointment underscores unity within the defence community and signals confidence in the administration’s renewed security direction.