PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu stated yesterday that he will not lose the battle to keep Nigeria secure, and that he will provide the military with the necessary support to keep the nation’s troublemakers at bay.
The President delivered remarks during the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference 2023, which was held in Maiduguri, Borno State.
According to his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, the President stated that he has no intention of relenting or resting on his laurels in safeguarding Nigeria, asserting that he will win the war to keep Nigeria safe.
Tinubu, who commended the Nigerian Army’s dedication to national security, urged the army to remain non-partisan but watchful in safeguarding democratic ideals, highlighting the army’s duty as a defender of constitutional order during elections.
“The professional conduct of the Armed Forces during the elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States underscores your role as a guardian of our constitutional order and democracy precepts. In this regard, the Nigerian Army must remain completely non-partisan but vigilantly pro-democracy.
“We also note with great satisfaction the many civilian-military projects across the country, some of which will be commissioned during this Conference.
“These projects not only bring the military and civilian population into closer affinity and mutual understanding, they also serve the practical purpose of tangibly improving the living conditions of the people,” the President said.
President Tinubu affirmed his administration’s commitment to advancing the ongoing modernization process within the military, with a focus on improving mobility, communications, and offensive striking capabilities, citing the recent procurement of new aircraft as evidence of his determination to upgrade national defense capability.
Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, briefed the President that continuing military operations in various parts of the nation have severely weakened criminal elements while containing farmer-herder problems in various sections of the country.
“Notwithstanding these achievements, we recognize the importance of continuous evaluation and this conference will be instrumental in formulating long-term strategies to bolster our ability to carry out our constitutional responsibility in the year 2024,” the Army Chief said.
