BY SEGUN ADEBAYO, ABUJA – The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has counseled the newly appointed Service Chiefs to stay away from politics if they must succeed where their predecessors did not do well.
This is just as the journalists body said that it will be foolhardy for the new Service Chiefs to ignore the welfare of their officers and soldiers in the onerous task ahead of them, adding that success can only be achieved through boosting the morale of troops at various areas of operations.
The NUJ pointedly said that what Nigerians need now, is the security of their lives and property to enable them live decent lives.
It noted that the change of guards at the Defence headquarters and the various service arms after months of intense calls by the National Assembly, Media, Socio-Cultural Organisations, pressure groups including the NUJ is belated but however welcomed.
These were contained in a statement by the National President of the Union, Mr. Chris Iziguzo in which he expressed the hopes that the new service chiefs would put in their best to end the rising cases of insecurity threatening the existence of the country by understanding that their appointments are not for merriment, but for hard work and total commitment to the Fatherland.
Isiguzo further said; “It is our hope, that the new Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Leo Irabor, will properly coordinate the other Service Chiefs to immediately confront Boko Haram insurgents, banditry and kidnappings appropriately in the best interest of the country.
“The new Service Chiefs must not see their assignments as opportunities to amass wealth for themselves, families or friends, but rather as a challenge to re-engineer the country’s security architecture that has suffered serious setbacks”.
The NUJ while appealing to the Federal Government to provide adequate arms and equipment, to ensure the welfare and well-being of the fighting men and women, canvassed for the continuous support of Nigerians for the armed forces.
