By Moses Akarhan
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has cautioned the service chiefs to stay away from politics if they must succeed where their predecessors did not do well.
The union gave the warning recently, in a media release signed by its National President, Chris Isiguzo.
It said what Nigerians need now, is the security of their lives and property, to enable them live decent lives.
The media release quoted the union as saying: “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 expressed the hope 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 nation.
“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.
“It will be foolhardy for the service chiefs to ignore the welfare of their officers and soldiers in the onerous task ahead of them because success can only be achieved through boosting the morale of troops at various areas of operations.”
NUJ appealed to the Federal Government to provide adequate arms and equipment, to ensure the welfare and well-being of the fighting men and women and further appealed for the continuous support of Nigerians for the armed forces.
