Nigerian president swears in new military chiefs

ABUJA, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua swore in new military chiefs at a ceremony in the capital Abuja on Monday, the first time he has been seen in public since returning from medical treatment in Saudi Arabia.

A smiling Yar'Adua decorated the new service chiefs after naming them last month just before he left for Saudi Arabia, his first major military shake-up since taking office in May, 2007.

Yar'Adua returned to Nigeria on Saturday after an absence of almost three weeks which raised fears about his health and led to questions over whether he was fit enough to govern Africa's most populous nation.

The 57-year old leader, known to have a chronic kidney problem, travelled to Saudi Arabia officially for a Muslim pilgrimage. But senior Nigerian officials and a medical source in Saudi Arabia said he had received treatment during the trip.

(For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: africa.reuters.com/ ) (Reporting by Felix Onuah; Writing by Nick Tattersall)