Despite going through hard times including a civil war, Nigeria remains an indivisible nation with the citizens pushing for a common interest, President Muhammadu Buhari has said. The president’s remarks came amid the recent protests by the pro-Biafra groups in some parts of the South-East and South- South.
Speaking during the launching of the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Emblem and celebration yesterday, Buhari explained that Nigerians have resolved to live as one and a united people. The president at the ceremony, which held inside the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, announced a donation of N10 million to the Nigerian Legion.
He called on all Nigerians to appreciate the noble contributions of the nation’s fallen heroes whom he said paid the supreme sacrifice to maintain national and international peace and security.
Buhari said that the nation had recently celebrated 55 years of political independence and continued to remain as one indivisible entity despite several challenges. He said: “Since independence, Nigeria has witnessed a lot of internal strife, survived a civil war and has remained united. This feat achieved by the country is an eloquent testimony to the determination of our citizens to remain as one people.
“The sacrifices of our fallen heroes, heroines, and veterans who rose up to the security challenges cannot go un-noticed.” While noting that the theme of this year’s celebration: “Motivating the Nigerian Armed Forces for Effective Service Delivery” was very apt, he saluted the courage and sacrifices of men and women of the Armed Forces in grappling with the wave of terrorism, oil theft and piracy in some parts of our country.
According to him, “They have displayed unalloyed loyalty and commitment to Nigeria. In their arduous task to keep Nigeria safe and united, some of these gallant officers and men lost their lives. To them, we pay special tribute and pray for the repose of their souls.
“Fellow countrymen and women, consider the situation and conditions under which they died or suffered physical incapacitation. ” It behoves on us who are living beneficiaries of their sacrifice to contribute towards the welfare and sustenance of their dependants.
Our modest effort will go a long way to demonstrate our depth of gratitude and ameliorate their present condition.” He said that the Nigerian Legion, which is the umbrella body of the veterans, has continued to contribute to the growth and development of the country.
Buhari commended the Legionnaires for their steadfastness, perseverance and exemplary conduct. He added that the members of the body have continued even in retirement to provide excellent services in all spheres of our national life. He called on well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations to lend their support to the worthy initiative.
The president said the emblem launch was meant to appeal to all Nigerians to generously support the Nigerian Legion. While encouraging Nigerians to buy the emblem, Buhari announced that it would soon become a requirement for access into government establishments for staff and visitors.
He gave an assurance that the Federal Government would continue to show commitment in addressing the challenges facing veterans. Minister of Defence, Brig.-Gen. Muhammad Dan-Ali, described the event as a unique one coming at a time when the nation was committing much to the anti-terrorism war.
He said terrorism had tasked the resourcefulness of men of the nation’s armed forces with many lives lost and many others injured. Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Colonel Micah Gayya (rtd.), decorated Buhari; Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara; and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, with the redesigned emblems.
The event was attended by all the newly inaugurated ministers and the National Security Adviser (NSA). Meanwhile, the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army has pledged its readiness to suppress insurrection in the South-East and South- South geopolitical zones whenever it was called upon to do so.
Addressing newsmen in Enugu yesterday, the Deputy Director of Army Public Relations in the division, Col. Hamza Gambo, said the statement had become imperative because of “the marked increase in the activities of pro-Biafran groups” in the areas. Gambo listed the activities to include protest marches, demonstrations and some cases of outright lawlessness and threat to lives and properties.
“The truism of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly is not contestable particularly as it is guaranteed by the constitution. “Instructively, this constitutional guarantee does not allow for abuse of other person’s freedom and safety.
“It is pertinent to note that the same constitution mandates the armed forces of Nigeria to suppress insurrection and act in aid of civil authority to restore order when called upon to do so.
The spokesman said the army would act within its rules of engagement and called on law-abiding citizens to go about their normal activities. He said that the disturbances were orchestrated by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Gambo said that the agitations had led to an increased sense of insecurity in the regions. Also, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division of the army, Maj.-Gen. Isidore Edet, has said that the army would apply its rules of engagement (ROE) to the letter to deal with all those threatening and agitating for the dismemberment of the country.
Isidore gave the warning while speaking with journalists at the Officers Mess in Lagos yesterday. “The Nigerian Army would like to send an unequivocal warning to all and sundry, more specifically to all those threatening and agitating for the dismemberment of the country. Committing treasonable felony and arson, as well as wanton destruction of lives and properties that once deployed, we shall apply the ROE to the letter. “It is, however, hoped that such circumstances would not arise that we should deploy such operations.
“Let nobody make any mistake because within the ambit of the law, we shall apply the ROE to the fullest,” he said. While talking about the Boko Haram insurgency, the GOC assured residents of Lagos State that the army was working round the clock to monitor and protect them. He added that some arrests had been made which, he said, could not be disclosed.
“We cannot disclose the details yet but we are working round the clock to ensure that Boko Haram does not have a safe haven in Lagos or South-West or any part of the country.
“There is no cause for alarm and there is no need for Lagosians to fear,” he said. But, National Director of Information, MASSOB, Comrade Uchenna Madu, said Buhari’s statement that Nigeria is indivisible is his personal opinion. Madu said: “As the president, he can never openly agree to anything that will affect the oneness of Nigeria.
The people of Eastern region will decide that. “Buhari should not bother himself about ethnic nationalities who have decided to leave Nigeria, even his people, the Arewa, are earnestly willing to opt out because Nigeria in the real existence favours no ethnicity but only the cabals, politicians and high profile personalities.
“Biafranism is deeply rooted in consciousness of every Igboman and major ethnic groups in South-South. The Biafran referendum that will be conducted by the United Nations will testify our popularity and acceptance by Biafrans.”
MASSOB’s spokesman described the threat to crush agitations for Biafra as a shame coming from the Nigerian military. He said the military can’t crush the pro-Biafra agitators.
“If they threaten to crush a non-violent agitation what will they do to violent agitators?” he asked. “The utterance is a disgrace to the army. They should be advised to focus their energies on crushing other militants and violent agitators and terrorist group all over Nigeria instead of needlessly flexing their muscles over a nonviolent group.”
