President defends reforms, urges patience
From Saxone Akhaine, Kaduna
PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo said at the weekend that the reform policies of the Federal Government had begun to bear positive fruits in the economy.
President Obasanjo spoke in Kaduna at the passing out parade of officer cadets of Direct Short Service, Course 15 of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).
He said: "In Nigeria, the mismanagement and mal-administration of the past require a fundamental review of government policies and a new approach to national development.
"Inevitably, this will entail short-term discomfort necessary for our nation's renewal in the long-term. Already, some of the reform policies we have taken have started to bear fruits. Let me therefore appeal for the continued patience and understanding of all citizens in this regard."
On investment the government had made to ensure an effective military for the country, President Obasanjo said: "We shall continue to do our utmost in this regard within the limit of available resources.
"In the dynamic world we all live in today where technology has shrunk ancient barriers of distance, language and culture, humanity is increasingly sharing common ideas of politics and socio-economic development."
He assured the soldiers and other members of the armed forces that the provision of training, operational and welfare facilities would continued to be vigorously pursued.
President Obasanjo charged the soldiers: "You should be aware that what is made available to you is only negatively impacted by cash flow constraints and not political will on the part of government. In any case, discipline and loyalty are the critical requirements of an effective fighting force. Your conduct must continue to be guided by this dictum.
"With the benefit of your training, you must be steadfast in ensuring national cohesion and harmony. By the training you have received, your outlook is national.
"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."
