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Soldiers Charged to Shun Politics From George Oji in Abuja Former Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Major General Okon Edet Okon (rtd) has charged soldiers to operate within the confines of the Constitution and desist from venturing into politics again. Okon said since the army derives its legitimacy from the constitution, "all our actions should be in line with the provisions of the constitution." Okon, who was also a one-time army spokesperson in 1993 expressed this position while delivering a lecture entitled "Repositioning the Army for National Development" as part of celebrations to mark the 141 year of the army in Abuja yesterday. The former NDA commandant stressed the importance of professionalism in the army saying, "professionalism demands we re-focus our role and accept civilian control of the army," He said to do this successfully, "the army must try to understand the relationship that should exist between it, the political elite and the citizens." "The army being a voluntary service should endeavour not to intervene in the political governance of the country as development requires some period of continuity," Okon advised. Speaking on security and development, Okon observed that when the security of a state is guaranteed by strong defence environment, there would be conducive atmosphere for economic development. "This symbolic relationship is one that Nigeria must appreciate. Nigeria has been relatively insecure in the last decade or so considering the number of crisis that the nation has witnessed," the retired general said. Who Are We ? | About THISDAYOnLine.com | THISDAY People | Contact Us © Copyright 2000 Leaders & Company Limited

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