|
Disloyalty: Obasanjo warns military officers
By Chris Agbambu
Deputy
Bureau Chief, Abuja
President
Olusegun Obasanjo at the weekend warned that there is no place for indolent and
disloyal officers in the Armed Forces, with the country now in the 21st
century.
He
charged the 136 officers of course 15 Direct Short Service (DSS) who passed out
at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna to put into good use all that
they have learnt in “the great institution” rather than delve into
roles not assigned to them.
The
graduands were 63 Naval and 73 Air Force officers who had undergone rigorous
training for six months.
The
President, represented by Defence Minister Rabiu Musa Kwakwaso, told them:
“You are passing out at a time of great challenges to our nation and
Africa as a whole. It is a matter of great joy that products of the academy in
particular and members of the Armed Forces in general have acquitted themselves
creditably in peace keeping roles within Africa in particular and the world at
large”.
He
pledged that the government will continue to play an active role in the
resolution of sub-regional and global conflicts within the framework of the
Economic of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU) and the United
Nations (UN).
The
government “has already made a huge investment in order to maintain a
well trained, cost effective, compact and mobile Armed Forces”, he said,
and it will continue to do its utmost in this regard within the limits of
resources.
Obasanjo
stressed that the mismanagement of the past requires a fundamental review of
government policy and a new approach to national development.
“This
will entail short term discomfort necessary for the nation’s renewal in
the long term, while some of the policies have already started to bear
fruit”.
He
appealed for the continued patience and understanding of all citizens so as to
reach the promised land.
While
reassuring military personnel that the provision of training, operational and
welfare facilities would continue to be vigorously pursued, the President
reminded them that what is provided can only be hindered by financial
constraints, not political will.
He
reiterated to members of the Armed Forces that discipline and loyalty are the
critical requirements of an effective fighting force and warned that their
conduct should continue to be guided by this dictum.
“With
the benefit of your training, you must be steadfast in ensuring national
cohesion and harmony, because, by your training, you have received a national
outlook.
“Do
not diminish yourselves by localising your perceptions and do not dabble into
roles for which you have neither the training nor constitutional right and
legitimacy”.
DSS
courses are for officers who joined the Armed Forces with university degrees
and for those who acquired degrees during service.
|
