Ola Ajayi, Ibadan

Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Turkur Buratai, has called on all Nigerians to be supportive and committed to the resolve of government to stem the tide of criminality.

CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF (COAS), LT.-GEN. TUKUR BURATAI 

He said this in Ibadan Saturday at the Nigeria Writers Peace Summit, organised by the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA).

At the Lead City University where the summit took place, the COAS, and several other Nigerians were given arious awards and also a book, Nigeria’s involvement in the politics of peace and security in Africa from 1960 which was authored by the current chairman of ANA, Oyo State chapter, Funso Omotosho was launched.

Some of the awardees included the Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Frederick Akinruntan; the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun; Minister of Communication, Alhaji Adebayo Shittu; founder and Pro-Chancellor of Lead City University, Prof Jide Owoeye; Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief Alaba Lawson; Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Chief Folashade Tinubu Ojo; and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Yemi Faronmbi and others.

Buratai, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Chukwunedum Abraham, said that the achievements recorded so far in enhancing national security in terms of fighting insurgency and terrorism and other criminal activities were not without the support of Nigerians.
COAS said, “This award, therefore, is valued as a morale booster for the Nigerian Army not to relent in the discharge of its constitutional roles towards enhancing sustainable peace in Nigeria. It is important to emphasise that the growing war against terror is a collective responsibility towards achieving the strategic end-state. To this extent, every individual, group, organisation and various entities must remain focused, supportive and committed to government efforts to rid our dear country of criminality.

“As such, there is need for continuous partnership and cooperation amongst the media, civil society organisations, the security agencies and indeed the government itself to achieve the common targets and objectives.

“The current circumstances we found ourselves should stimulate organisations and agencies alike to support the government and fashion out people oriented programmes that will promote growth and enhance sustainable development and welfare for all. The fight cannot be won alone by the Nigerian Army without the support and backing of the government, other security agencies and the civil populace in particular.”

Omotoso, said, “As writers, it is our responsibility to promote peace. Writers are the conscience of the society. I urge the military personnel that have been trained for war, to instead of preparing for war, promote peace.”

Former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Yemi Faronmbi, said peace is not the absence of war, and it is not passive, but an active thing, saying “it is only in moments of peace that we can generate development.”