PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday warned politicians and groups allegedly threatening the sovereignty of Nigeria, saying that the nation is superior to any individual.
He repeated the same charge at the opening ceremony of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the ruling PDP.
The President declared that government would not condone the culture of careless and inciting utterances, especially by politicians, stating that “we will not allow anybody to take this country for a ride.”
He stated that “no individual is superior to a nation. And the sovereignty of Nigeria can never be challenged by anybody.”
Also yesterday, the State Security Service (SSS) warned politicians to guard their utterances.
Marilyn Ogar, spokesman of the Service, gave the warning following PDP presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar’s reported comment of a likely violent change if the PDP primaries are not well handled.
She said: “For sometime now, the SSS has noted with grave concern the unguarded, reckless and divisive utterances of some prominent politicians. The Service has also noted that these utterances, apart from being very inflammatory and extremely inciting are of deep and grave National Security concern. We are again reminded that, democracy is about dialogue, negotiation and compromise. However, a situation where some of those aspiring to rule this nation, have resorted through their utterances to make “the country ungovernable.”
President Jonathan, who spoke at the combined decoration of 22 senior officers of the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force promoted to the ranks of Rear Admirals and Air Vice Marshals at the Army Headquarters Officers’ Mess in Asokoro, Abuja, stated: “I frown at people, especially politicians, who make statements challenging the sovereignty of this nation. Government will not take such rubbish lightly. We will no longer allow that kind of culture. We will not allow anybody to take this country for a ride.”
The newly-promoted Rear Admirals and their present appointments include J. A. Akinwale (Chief of Administration, Naval Headquarters (NHQ); A.O.A. Ikioda (Chief of Logistics, NHQ); O.B. Ogunjimi (Navy Secretary, NHQ); Joe O. Aikhomu (Director of Logistics, Defence Headquarters) and I.E. Ibas (Chief Staff Officer, Naval Training Command).
Others promoted Rear Admirals include Gabriel E. Okoi (Chief Staff Officer, Logistics Command); J.O.O. Olutoyin (Chief Staff Officer, Western Naval Command); I.A. Oyagha (Chief Staff Officer, Eastern Naval Command); J.N. Amaino, Director of Development, Defence Headquarters and B.M. Mshelia (Commander, Central Pay Office).
Among those decorated with their new ranks of Air Vice Marshals include I.A. Balogun, Akinola Ogunnaike, A. Adamu, I. Umar, E.E. Osim, M.R. Morgan, O.A. Idowu, C.N. Chukwu, A.A. Iya, S.B. Abubakar and A.I. Shehu.
The President said Nigeria’s high rating in the international community should not be sabotaged at a time when the nation was consolidating its leadership role on the African continent and the globe, pointing out that it was the military and the police that would bear the brunt in a crisis.
“I have been receiving calls from presidents all over the world because they believe that Nigeria can salvage the situation in Cote d’Ivoire. That tells you how other countries rate Nigeria,” he said.
The President also commended the professionalism and discipline of the Nigerian army, which he said, had earned Nigeria an enviable standing in the international community.
According to him, “we have no reason to derail. We have that standing in the international community because of the role the military is playing. Nigeria is set to take its leadership place but that is not possible without competent and loyal officers, which is what we have.”
Jonathan, therefore, urged the military to maintain its good standing on the African continent and globally.
He congratulated the newly promoted officers and called for more women’s participation in the nation’s military.
This observation followed the decoration of the nation’s first female Rear Admiral – Itunu Hotonu. The President noted that he had been discussing with the Chief of Defence Staff and the Service Chiefs on training of women as regular combatant officers at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna.
He asked rhetorically: “So, when will I see Nigerian women flying jets? We will want to start training women at the NDA to become regular combatant officers, those who are strong enough to face the rigours. In some years to come, maybe the Commander of the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) can be a woman.”
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Umar, who later decorated 36 Air Commodores at the Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, told the officers that “your carriage, comportment, utterances, loyalty and example must at all times reflect our expectations of persons of your status.”
Meanwhile, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Command, Emmanuel Ogboche Ogbor, has tasked the newly-elevated Naval officers to use their position to improve the state of the Nigerian Navy in tackling contemporary challenges facing it.
Speaking at the decoration/promotion ceremony in Lagos on Wednesday, Ogbor said what was expected of the new naval officers was commitment in service, adding that their promotion was a call for higher responsibilities.
He said those elevated were those who had distinguished themselves in the Nigerian Navy through hardwork.
He advised the elevated officers to work hard for the nation reposed so much confidence in them and must rise up to the challenges of their task.
“Gentlemen, you must go back to wherever you are serving, show leadership, show commitment to duty at your respective places of work. We expect so much from you,” he said.
Attributing his promotion to the grace of God, Commodore Ogechi Ebeneza Osuagwu said the newly promoted officers would live up to the responsibilities of safeguarding the Nigerian maritime environment.
He said he would use his position to solve the problems facing the maritime sector.
Some of the other officers decorated with the Commodore rank are Moses Akpa and Bum Stephen Korand.
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