BY BANYO TEMITAYO
THE Nigeria Union of Journalists, on Thursday, said the replacement of the nation’s Service Chiefs, after months of intense calls by Nigerians, was a welcome move, though belated.
The NUJ, however, warned the new Service Chiefs to stay away from politics if they must succeed where their predecessors were found wanting.
President, NUJ, Chris Isiguzo, gave the warning in a release he signed, noting that the security 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 had suffered serious setbacks.
He said, “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.
“NUJ 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.
“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.”
Isiguzo stressed that it would be foolhardy for the Service Chiefs to ignore the welfare of their Officers and Soldiers in the onerous task ahead of them, adding that success could only be achieved through boosting the morale of troops at various areas of operations.
“NUJ urges the Service Chiefs to stay away from politics if they must succeed where their predecessors did not do well. What Nigerians need now, is the security of their lives and property to enable them live decent lives,” he advised.
“While we appeal to the Federal Government to provide adequate arms and equipment, to ensure the welfare and well being of the fighting men and women, we appeal for the continuous support of Nigerians for the armed forces,” the NUJ President noted.
