The members of the Armed Forces have been urged to shun partisanship politics and acts opposed to democratic values but should rather brace up to the security challenges facing the country.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh made the appeal yesterday in Abuja while speaking at the decoration of 16 newly promoted officers of the Nigerian Air Force to the 2-Star General rank of Air Vice Marshal.
Badeh urged members of the Armed Forces to face the insecurity threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria, saying everything is needed to be done “to ensure that the insecurity is brought to an end.”
While urging the newly promotef officers to bring their wealth of experience to bear on the “ongoing fight against insurgency” by providing useful advise to the higher authorities.
“As the 2015 general elections scheduled to hold in February next year draw near, I call on all members of the Armed Forces to remain apolitical and avoid partisanship or acts that are inimical to the cooperate existence of a democratic Nigeria,” he stated.
He tasked the promoted officers on the need to work harder, thread the path of honour and integrity and remain loyal to the country to justify the confidence reposed in them.
Bade reminded them that many of their mates were also presented for promotion, but some did not get promoted not because they were not qualified but “factors such as availability of slots, deployability and the need to ensure spread in line with the principles of Federal Character.”
He commended the performance of the Air Force in the fight against insurgency and assured that the Nigerian military was doing all it could to ensure that the threat against the country’s unity was curtailed.
Earlier in his opening address, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Olusola Amosu said strategic locations and contributions in the fight against Boko Haram were cardinal considerations in promoting the officers.
“One of the criteria for the elevation has to do with capability, the location of the area of service. Most of the people promoted are commanders of the units engaged in the fight against insurgency.
“By our own assessment, they have done well; they have used the platform the way we expect and we need to duly recognise their contributions. And this is one of the best ways to reward a soldier,” Amosu said.
