Posted by By MOLLY KILETE. Abuja. on
The Nigerian Army on Tuesday described as shameful the number of years the nation groaned under military rule, saying that the best way for the country to move forward and realize its full potentials was to continue practising democracy.
The Nigerian Army on Tuesday described as shameful the number of years the nation groaned under military rule, saying that the best way for the country to move forward and realize its full potentials was to continue practising democracy.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant-General Luka Nyem Yusuf, who stated this at a book launch and lecture as part of the activities lined up to mark the 2008 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL), in Abuja, said it was high time officers and soldiers in the army learn to 'see themselves in the mirror at all times to know whether they are conforming to the principles of democracy."
The army boss, who said the lecture was organized to help its officers and soldiers understand what their roles should be in a democratic dispensation, noted that the army could not have done better at any time than under a democratic government since it was only in a democratic government that both the military and civil populace could realise their dreams and aspirations.
To this end, he announced that the army was presently practising a voluntary army that allows anybody to offer its best for the country at any time.
According to him, 'this lecture is aimed at making us understand what our roles should be as far as this country is concerned.
'Today, let us see our faces clearly in the mirror to see how we have performed as far as this democracy is concerned.
'The military tried to rule this country for so many years, but at the end of it all, we have ended up in shame. Today, the country is practising democratic government for the past nine years and we can see the difference.
'We have realised that the only way the country can move forward is through democracy because it is only in democracy that we can share our ideas and ideals and how we can live and have better lives."
In his address, the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Steven Lawani, described the Nigerian Army as an end product of the Nigerian society.
Also speaking, Minister for Interior, Major-General Godwin Abbey (retd), noted that it was only through good governance that the foundation for a viable democratic institution can be laid and that members of the armed forces can aspire to reach their full professional potentials as obtained in advanced democracy.