Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (rtd), on Friday warned against playing politics with the military.
This is just as he said he was leaving the armed forces of Nigeria “bigger, stronger and more capable to deliver on its constitutional mandate and national security imperatives”.
He spoke at a pull out ceremony organised in his honour at the Mogadishu Cantonment (formerly Abacha Barracks).
Irabor said the bond and cohesion enjoyed in the military cannot be found in any other sector.
“The friendship and unity that exists within the armed forces you cannot find it anywhere and that is why you shouldn’t play politics with the military because, from the 774 LGA of this country, everyone is represented. There is no commander that goes to war with those he claims are his kinsmen”, he said.
He said contrary to widely held belief, no military personnel takes any special injection but for the training and indoctrination which comes from the regimentation.
“The military is a family for those who may not know. It is a family. I have answered so many questions about being given an injection. What is that injection? There is no injection. The injection is training and discipline.
“They also said we operate like a cult, the process alone there is nothing wrong if I say we are in a cult but it is a good cult. In the training establishment when I was a cadet, we spend three years but two years later it became a five-year programme, when it was three years, the admission was every six months and when it became one year, the admission became every year”, he said.
“For you to finish a three-year program means that you will have five sets of your senior and five sets of your junior. The bonding that comes with it, you can’t find in any other place and that is why you think is a cult.
“After 37 years of unblemished service to the AFN and the nation and having served as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in the past 29 months, there is valid justification for the mixed emotions of great submission, reflection, humility, gratitude, and of course, relief.”he said.
Irabor said the Armed Forces of Nigeria delivered on its constitutional mandate “as a defender of the Nigerian state, territories, and people in addition to providing a bulwark for unbroken democratic evolution. In other words, the AFN has been a foremost national institution in ensuring the security and stability of the nation”.
He noted that despite the current challenges, he remained very proud of the patriotism, dedication, hardwork and sacrifices of the officers, men and women of the AFN which is propelled by “love for country”.
“Going forward, our thinking and national security approach must be so mighty that no potential aggressor will be tempted to risk his own destruction. There is a saying that “old soldiers never die, they just fade away.”
“While my time in uniform has come to an end, the lessons, friendships, and values I have gained during my years of service will remain with me always. Farewell, my fellow warriors, and may you continue to serve our nation with honour, courage, and unwavering dedication.
“Throughout my years of service, I have had the privilege of working alongside some of the most dedicated, bravest, courageous, and selfless men and women I have ever known. Your unshakeable commitment to our nation, our values, and our mission has been a constant source of inspiration. The bonds we have forged in the face of adversity are unbreakable, and I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to serve with each and every one of you.
“Without doubt, the nation should be proud of its military to whom too many security concerns seem now to be consigned. I therefore state with a sense of responsibility, that as a nation, we should avoid the deliberate or inadvertent inclination to denigrate the contributions of the AFN to national security, unity, and stability. To do so will be to effectively undermine the Nigerian state”, he said.
He maintained that “due largely to the inputs from these sources and the improved institutional capabilities, the AFN recorded goal attainment in core military roles and Military Aid to Civil Power (MACP). In more specific terms, we have significantly curtailed the threats of terrorism, insurgency, piracy, sea robberies, vandalism of critical national assets and kidnappings.
“In the Military Aid to Civil Authority (MACA) role, we successfully worked in conjunction with other security agencies and stakeholders to deliver a physical security environment that is amenable for law and order, critical democratic processes, as well as human security, and national development”, he said.
On the state of the military establishment, Irabor said he was leaving the Armed Forces of Nigeria “bigger, stronger and more capable to deliver on its constitutional mandate and national security imperatives.
“After 37 years of unblemished service to the AFN and the nation and having served as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in the past 29 months, there is valid justification for the mixed emotions of great submission, reflection, humility, gratitude, and of course, relief.”he stressed.
He noted that despite the present challenges, he remained very proud of the patriotism, dedication, hardwork and sacrifices of the officers, men and women of the AFN which is propelled by ‘Love for Country’.
“Going forward, our thinking and national security approach must be so mighty that no potential aggressor will be tempted to risk his own destruction. There is a saying that “Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.” While my time in uniform has come to an end, the lessons, friendships, and values I have gained during my years of service will remain with me always. Farewell, my fellow warriors, and may you continue to serve our nation with honour, courage, and unwavering dedication”.
“Throughout my years of service, I have had the privilege of working alongside some of the most dedicated, bravest, courageous, and selfless men and women I have ever known. Your unshakeable commitment to our nation, our values, and our mission has been a constant source of inspiration. The bonds we have forged in the face of adversity are unbreakable, and I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to serve with each and every one of you.
“Without doubt, the nation should be proud of its military to whom too many security concerns seem now to be consigned. I therefore state with a sense of responsibility, that as a nation, we should avoid the deliberate or inadvertent inclination to denigrate the contributions of the AFN to national security, unity, and stability. To do so will be to effectively undermine the Nigerian state”, he said.
The ceremony was attended by Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oboriewori; Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of the Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hassan Abubakak.
Other dignitaries, who attended the ceremony include Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, former defence chiefs, Admiral Ibrahim Ogohi, Alexander Ogomudia, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyin Pentirin.
Others dignitaries who attended include the immediate past service chiefs, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya (Army), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (Navy) and Air Marshal Oladayo Amao (Air Force).
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