President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday formally decorated the new
service chiefs and warned that none of them should sleep until Nigerians living
in parts of the country currently under the siege of terrorists could sleep
with their two eyes closed.
Jonathan, who said he did not know whether to congratulate or sympathise
with the new service chiefs because of the circumstances of the moment, said
the war against terror must be won.
He said, “None of us will sleep till the Nigerians living in Borno State
can sleep. That is why I say today is not a moment for major statements.
“We will be having very positive talks from time to time, but
definitely, Nigerians will tell you, what they expect from us, we must not fail
this country and I believe this team will work together to be assisted by other
intelligence services because the war against terror must be won.”
While saying that he was convinced that he had selected the best team at
this time, the President advised them not to disappoint him and other
Nigerians.
Those decorated with their new ranks were the Chief of Defence Staff,
Air Marshal Alex Badeh; Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah; Chief of
Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Usman Jibrin; and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal
Adesola Amosu.
Badeh, in his vote of thanks, said while security challenges in the
North-East were surmountable, Nigerians must be ready to make sacrifices so
that more resources could be channelled to the that war against terror.
He said that the military would review and adopt more proactive
measures to tackle those he described as enemies of the country.
He said, “Our dear country is today faced with a number of security
challenges, the most prominent of which are the activities of extremists in the
North-East, illegal oil bunkering and other criminal activities in the Niger
Delta.
“These security challenges are inimical to any meaningful development.
Accordingly, the Nigerian military and other security agencies are poised more
than ever before to review and adopt more proactive measures to contain and
defeat the enemies of our country so that Nigerians can go about their lawful
activities in an atmosphere of peace and security.
“I want to remind us all that when a nation’s military is at war, it is
the whole nation that is at war. Accordingly, we must all make sacrifices
here and there so that more resources could be channelled to the prosecution of
the war against terror.
“The successful prosecution of any war or internal security challenges
and subsequent restoration of peace and stability are crucial for any
meaningful development to take place.”
He also promised that he would work hard ahead of the 2015 elections to
ensure that normalcy was restored in the affected places so that elections
could hold there.
Badeh pledged the continued loyalty of members of the armed forces to
the nation’s democracy.
He added, “I want to reassure Your Excellency and the good people of
Nigeria that the unity and indivisibility of our country are paramount on our
minds. The Armed Forces of Nigeria had fought once to keep this country
together, and we are doing it again in the North-East and we are ready to keep
repeating it.
“Therefore, we appeal to our compatriots to continue to support the
Nigerian military in our efforts to keep the country united and to ensure
security, particularly in the North Eastern states where state of emergency
presently exists. The state of emergency is not intended to unduly
inconvenience our fellow citizens.
“It is a temporary measure that would be reviewed and lifted as soon as
the circumstances that led to it are surmounted. This is important
particularly as the 2015 general elections approach.
“The Armed Forces is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that normalcy
was speedily restored in the North- East so that Nigerians in the affected
areas can resume their normal lifestyles, so that elections will hold in those
areas in 2015. Notwithstanding the current challenges, we remain resolute
and with the help of our political masters, normalcy will be restored in the
North-East soonest.”