By Augustine Ehikioya
For safety of lives and properties, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has promised to leave no stone unturned to defeat insecurity in Nigeria within the shortest possible time.
Safety of law-abiding Nigerians and the unity of the country, he said, must be maintained at all cost within its constitutional power.
To this end, President Tinubu promised to provide adequate funding to cancel shortfalls in security equipment and logistics constraining against operational efficiency.
Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, spoke on Thursday during the 2023 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) in Ibadan, Oyo State.
At the function attended by Security Watch Africa (SWA), President Tinubu said “As a responsible Government, we are conscious of the security concerns of the citizenry. As such, I wish to reassure you of our resolve to defeat all threats to national security within the shortest possible time.
“Let me at this point reiterate that my administration will continue to do everything within its constitutional power to ensure the safety of law-abiding citizens and the unity of the country.
“As for the members of the Nigerian Army and the entire Armed Forces, I reassure you of my unfettered commitment to your welfare. I am aware of the shortfalls in equipment and funding that are constraining our operational efficiency.
“The Federal Government under my leadership has instituted a phased mechanism that would comprehensively address these shortfalls consistent with established national security objectives,” he stated.
Tinubu urged them to continue to operate in line with international best practices, extant humanitarian laws and Rules of Engagement in the conduct of their operations.
He also commended recent efforts by other stakeholders such as individual community members, traditional leaders and civil society organisations, including the youth in exposing all agents of instability and detractors of Nigeria.
Tracing the history and achievements of the Nigerian Army from the year 1863, he said, it has remained one of the strongest pillars that continue to give hope to Nigerians as they aspire to remain a united, peaceful and developed democratic society.
Advising the Army, he said “In this regard, we must build upon the ethnic and tribal bonds that have been nurtured by our forefathers whilst eschewing all actions capable of disuniting our nation.
“I am particularly happy to note that despite the Nigerian Army’s involvement in governance in the course of our history, it has, since 1999, remained a highly professional force subordinated to democratic civilian rule.
“The Nigerian Army has continued to discharge its constitutional roles with commendable success and it is to the credit of the Army that despite the numerous internal security engagements, it continues to execute regional and international peace support tasks effectively and efficiently.
“I am also happy to note the reinvigorated drive towards cooperation and joint operations within the military as well as the enhanced inter-agency harmony that has been fostered while combating insecurity across the nation.
“It is on record that the joint efforts of the Nigerian Army, other Services and security agencies have been responsible for degrading terrorists, bandits, secessionists and other criminal elements distorting the peace and stability of our dear country,” he stated.
The President, however noted that the laudable achievements recorded by the Nigerian Army has come at a heavy cost in terms of manpower and other resources.
Several gallant officers and soldiers, he pointed out, have lost their lives, while others have sustained various degrees of injury to the point of permanent disability.
He added “I take this opportunity to once again extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the course of safeguarding the sovereignty and unity of our great nation. I implore all Nigerian Army personnel to remain resolute and be reminded that their sacrifices shall never be in vain.”
He commended the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, for his proactive posture at organizing the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2023 considering that he assumed office a few weeks ago.
“With what I have seen today, I want to assure the men and women of the Nigerian Army that this Government will continue to support all laudable initiatives that have been put in place in pursuit of our national defence and security,” he said.
President Tinubu congratulated all serving and retired Army personnel on celebration of the 160th Anniversary of the “prestigious Nigerian Army. We appreciate the services and sacrifices of our heroes past and those still alive without whose efforts our existence as a nation would have been in jeopardy.”
The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, in his welcome address earlier, noted that the Nigerian Army has come a long way and is living up to its assigned constitutional roles.
“We have continued to contribute to domestic and global security through internal security as well as peacekeeping operations.
“It is through our concerted efforts that the activities of insurgents, terrorists, bandits and other forms of criminalities that threatened the very corporate existence of this country have been greatly reduced.
“The Nigerian Army has also made tremendous progress in the areas of professionalism, administration and cooperation among sister services and other security agencies,” he said.
He reiterated Nigerian Army’s unalloyed loyalty to the President and Commander-in-Chief and also pledged its unflinching support to democratic governance in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Army Chief expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his constant support and inspiration to the Nigerian Army, adding “I would also like to thank the Senate President, Speaker House of Representatives, members of the National Assembly, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, His Excellency the Executive Governor of Oyo state, the good people of Oyo State, and indeed all Nigerians for their kind support, encouragement and understanding.”
