By Daniels Nwokike, The Sight News
The new Acting Director Defence Information, Brigadier General John Agim has called on Nigerians to appreciate the efforts of the Military in maintaining peace and security in the country and across Africa.
This is as he noted that the Nigerian Military gets little or no credit for the efforts they put in ensuring stability in the country.
The Ag. DDI who stated this while addressing defence correspondents in Abuja on Friday during his maiden press briefing, said that the Nigerian military has for a long time been on the receiving end of negative reportage of their activities while little or no appreciation is accorded them in return for jobs-well-done.
He alluded that other countries of the world that we are always quick to compare ourselves with, see their military as an epitome of pride and selfless service while back home, the military is treated like the enemy.
He said that the Nigerian military represents strength and sovereignty of our great nation and that officers and men of the armed forces has always shown serious commitment in the discharge of their duties.
Quoting the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Gabriel Olonisakin, Agim said that, “This is the time for the citizens to reflect and appreciate the contributions of the armed forces of Nigeria in ensuring peace and security”.
The Acting Director said that the military may not be generating revenue to the cofers of the federal government but its contributions to the socio-economic and fiscal development of Nigeria cannot be overemphasized as they are engaged in one operation or the other in all the 36 states of the federation, including the FCT, to maintain peace and security.
“There are some states that if people wake up in the morning and hears that the military have withdrawn their troupes from the streets, economic activities will be grounded to a halt”
“I believe that it is time to appreciate the contributions of the armed forces of Nigeria in ensuring peace and security in the land”, he said.
Agim also used the opportunity to admonish fellow citizens to begin to appreciate the contributions of the armed forces of Nigeria as it will embolden them to do even more.
He called on the press to be very sensitive in reporting security issues as the report of every threat tends to embolden the aggressors, saying that ”Publicity is the fuel to an ideology”.
