President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday in Kaduna said that the welfare, equipment professionalism of the nation’s armed forces were not comparable to best international practice, declaring that the Nigerian Armed Forces were lagging behind among the comity of nations.
The President in his address as the Reviewing Officer at the passing-out parade and commissioning of the Direct Short Service Course 20 (Navy) at the the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna noted that it was based on the fact that the nation’s Armed Forces were not of international standard that his administration was working towards transforming the Armed Forces to meet the world best standard.
Jonathan, who was represented by the Vice-President, Namadi Sambo, enjoined the cadets to shun any act capable of jeopardising the peace and unity of the country.
The president said, “Let me at this juncture reiterate the high premium this administration places on the welfare of the members of the Armed Forces. As Commander-in-Chief, I have repeatedly assured members of the Armed Forces of my desire to transform the Armed Forces into a modern military institution that the nation can be proud of.
“The transformation will make it comparable to other Armed Forces in advanced world in terms of welfare, equipment, training and professionalism.
“The recent acquisition of NNS Tunder and approval for additional platforms are part of implementation process and practical demonstration of the commitment of this administration to restructuring of the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
The president urged the soldiers to utilise the friendship they had at the Academy to discourage acts of tribalism, promotion of religious or political differences to cause disharmony in our collective unity and peace.
A total of 85 cadets, including female cadets passed out from the nine months direct short service military course with three of them receiving Navy Gold Medal, Navy Silver Medal and Commandant’s awards respectively.
-Punch NG
Make us proud
Pls let the president know that our military are not well paid compared with our international counter part; let the president send his special advicers to check on how much they are paying them and also their welfare;