President Goodluck Jonathan shaking hands with Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ishaya Ibrahim, while Minister of Defence, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (2nd from left) and Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. A. B Dambauzau watch after the inauguration of Armed Forces Council in Abuja. Photo: Stafe House.

By Daniel IDONOR, Abuja
PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan enjoined the nation’s armed forces not to take advantage of the current heated polity to develop affection for politics.
He has also directed the Minister of Defence and Service Chiefs to ensure that necessary structures are put in place to enable the Armed Forces remain “resolutely focused” on their constitutional duties.

Such assigned duties, according to Jonathan, include that of defending Nigerian’s territorial integrity and protecting its democratic institutions.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Armed Forces Council, President Jonathan reaffirmed his Administration’s commitment to building a truly professional military which will foster stability, peace and security in the country at all times, and be a source of pride to all Nigerians.

“With the tempo of political activities heating up across the country, they must at all times be insulated from the partisanship and potential divisiveness of the political process,” the President told members of the council which he chairs as Commander-In-Chief.

“This commitment is borne out by the inauguration of the Armed Forces Council today, along with the various proactive initiatives towards the repositioning of the Armed Forces for the challenges of our twenty_first century world,” the President said.

He noted that the capacity of the Armed Forces to meet their enormous constitutional responsibilities will be further enhanced by the inauguration of the council.

President Jonathan commended the military for the “high degree of commitment to professional excellence, loyalty, dedication, courage and faith in Nigeria which they constantly epitomise in the discharge of their duties within and outside our shores.”

The council was established pursuant to Part II, Section 4 of the Armed Forces Act CAP A20 – Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004.

Its other members are the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Air Staff.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence serves as Secretary of the council which is responsible, under the general authority of the President, for the command, discipline and administration of Nigeria’s Armed Forces.