By Our Correspondent
As an apparent boost to the morale of soldiers fighting insurgency in the north, President Jonathan has directed the Ministry of Defence to urgently institute a special welfare scheme for officers and men who lose their lives in defence of the nation’s territorial integrity.
The president who was the Reviewing Officer at the Passing Out Parade (POP) of 61 Regular Course and Short Service Course 42 (Army) at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna at the weekend, said the country could not abandon those who died while ensuring that other Nigerians live in peace, especially in the fight against insurgency.
Jonathan said that the cadets who were commissioned into the three services of the Nigerian Armed Forces were coming at a time the nation was faced with internal security challenges and as such they must be prepared to protect the lives and property of law-abiding citizens at all times.
He noted that the military career which they had voluntarily chosen was not for chicken-hearted persons, hence the need for them to be courageous and also discharge a high level of professionalism as they move into their respective services.
The reviewing officer therefore charged the armed forces to remain steadfast in defence of the country’s territorial integrity.
According to the president, the Nigerian military is one of the finest in the world and the best in Africa. He urged the passing-out cadets to emulate their superiors in absolute loyalty to the nation and the civil authority.
He said: “As you are about to be commissioned into the Nigerian Armed Forces today, let me remind you that, your loyalty to the nation must never be in doubt. Your loyalty to the nation must be 100 per cent. You must reflect the values of loyalty, love and commitment imparted to you here throughout the period of your career.”
The president also commended the parents and families of the 114 newly commissioned Regular Officers and the 213 Short Service Army Officers for their support throughout their training period, saying that such encouragement was also anticipated as the young officers were going into full-fledged military career.
The newly commissioned officers were given specific and complete counter-terrorism training, as part of efforts in preparing them for the ongoing military campaign against insurgency in the North-Eastern states.
