BY Abdulsalam Abdullah
Theophilus Danjuma, former minister of defence, says service chiefs must work to end terrorism and banditry to restore peace in the country.
Danjuma spoke in Abuja on Tuesday at the public presentation of a book, ‘Big Boots: Lessons from My Military Service’, authored by Solomon Udounwa, a retired major general.
Danjuma stressed the urgency of the need to end the lingering insecurity, adding that the military must stop the killings going on in many parts of the country.
“The number one problem today is security, and we must end the pandemic, stop the killings that are going on in our country as soon as possible,” NAN quoted the former minister of defence as saying.
“Those of you who are still serving no excuses and absolutely none.”
He lauded the military leadership’s efforts to tackle insecurity, adding that the armed forces have also demonstrated excellence in managing their pension schemes.
Christopher Musa, chief of defence staff (CDS), said the military is working “tirelessly” to restore peace nationwide, adding that the troops would uphold service, integrity, and honor, defining their noble tradition.
“Let me also assure our distinguished chairman that the armed forces of Nigeria are prepared, willing, dedicated, and committed to ensuring we restore peace and security in our dear country,” the CDS said.
“We shall not be deterred. Yes, there will be challenges, but that’s why we are here. I want to assure you that we have learnt lot from your record as very distinguished senior officers who have guided us over the years. We cannot afford to fail, and we will not fail.”
Udounwa, the author of the book, said he wrote to share his life stories with the younger generation, noting that his military background showed him the value of learning from experience.
He added that younger military officers need past generations’ experiences to learn strategy and effective management.
“I hope they will learn that to serve in the military requires discipline, requires professionalism, requires integrity, requires character, requires courage, and so many other virtues that an officer must display while undertaking his duties,” Udounwa said.
“Then, when I joined the military, because my feet are very big, I was also given big boots, which went with me everywhere I served and which I used in trampling on terrorists and every other threat to our national security.”
In attendance at the event were Tukur Buratai, a former chief of army staff (COAS), Lucky Irabor, a former chief of defence staff (CDS), Faruk Yahaya, a former chief of army staff (COAS), and other serving and retired top military officers.
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