Minister for Defence, Yayale Ahmed, yesterday reiterated the Federal Government’s determination to overhaul the Armed Forces to conform with the nation’s democratic principles.
He said this at the inauguration of the 16th course of the National Defence College (NDC), Abuja.
Ahmed said it is the desire of President Musa Yar’Adua’s government to reposition the armed forces as an institution worthy of its calling.”Since the assumption of office of the present administration, it has had the strong desire to firmly entrench and inculcate the tenets of sustainable democracy in the armed forces.
“The objectives have been to overhaul and reconstruct the armed forces comprehensively, and thus transform it into an institution that will be able to prove its worth whenever it is called upon to do so.
“In pursuance of this objective, great emphasis is placed on three critical areas. These include re-equipping the services and enhancing welfare of officers and men, re-orientating the armed forces towards proper appreciation of its relationship with the civil authority and its obligation to provide support to that authority on terms outlined in our nation’s Constitution; building, rehabilitating and straightening the bond of cooperation between the Nigerian armed forces and those of other countries around the world,” he said.
Ahmed said the College plays a critical role in the moulding of the armed forces. “The NDC plays a critical role in helping us to achieve some of these objectives. We, therefore, see your coming on this course as important not only to you, but also to your countries.”
In his remark, Commandant of the College, Admiral Anthony Isa, said course content of the institution has shifted from operational to strategic course, adding that all over the world, the Armed Forces has been at the vanguard of national development.
The 101 course participants drawn from nine countries across Africa including Nigeria, Isa said, were carefully selected for higher responsibility, “that is the attribute of our profession.”
Sep202007