The military retrenchments and matters arising

Gov. Ishaku, you have done well, but...

Although it is safe to say that the different segments of the Nigerian military are headed by men who have understandably made tremendous contributions to the growth of their professional institution, it is also a fact that the administration of the military in a highly politicised and complex society like Nigeria is tough and highly demanding.

To say these are trying periods for the Nigerian Military is a way of depicting the many operational challenges and the public image bombardments that the institution has undergone. The Nigerian Army for some time now prior to the emergence of the current dispensation has been in the eyes of the critical members of the public. But the hierarchy has always provided sound responses to the range of criticisms trailing some of its security operations.

Since the last five years, the Nigerian Armed Forces has had to contend with waging relentless counter -terrorism war among others.

Amidst these many milestones and challenges, the Nigerian Army has of recent come under increasing focus and criticism, particularly for the recent retrenchment of top officers.

Several persons have spoken for and against the exercise. However, I am of the view that everything humanly possible must be done to safeguard the professional integrity of the Nigerian Army and shield it from political interferences. I trust the professional character and integrity of the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, and I believe that he will do his best to reposition the military.

I can also state without equivocation that he is a highly detribalised military officer who has dedicated friends that cut across all ethno-religious configurations.

When Taraba State governor, Architect Darius Ishaku, was battling to secure his seat, the people of Taraba were with him.

And truly, he did not disappoint us. Shortly after he assumed office, we began to experience unprecedented power supply in the state capital. The rusted water pipes in Jalingo, which had been dry for years started flowing with water.

Sir, in your desire to rescue Taraba State from the shackles of poverty and underdevelopment, you called on the people of the state to give you peace so that you can give them development. You set up a committee to restore peace in the affected areas. You warned traditional rulers against involvement in partisan politics.

To prove that you were not issuing empty threats, you suspended some district heads from office.

I commend you for all these, but I also urge you to look into the area of salary payment seriously so that civil servants can be happy. Civil servants are employed to run the machinery of government and without them things will not work well.