By EMMA AMAIZE, Warri

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has told the newly nominated service chiefs that Nigerian security agencies should no longer be reactive but proactive to issues.

President Jonathan gave the charge at a meeting with the incoming Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Vice Marshall Oluseye Petinrin, Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, Chief of Army Staff, Major General O.A Ihejirika, Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral O. S Ibrahim and Director-General of State Security Service (SSS), Ita Ekpeyong in Abuja.

The President confirmed his new order to the service chiefs on his Facebook page, yesterday, saying the security of Nigerians was of utmost importance and the government had to take strong measures, henceforth, to protect Nigerians.

His words, “ My fellow Nigerians, as I have said on this page and in public several times, the life of every Nigerian is the greatest of value to me. Your security is of utmost importance. The oath I swore to on the day I took office as President compels me to do what is proper in the interest of our country and citizens, therefore…, I will use every constitutional power I have to protect the well being of Nigerians and the Nigerian nation”

“The recent disturbances in some parts of the country leading to avoidable loss of lives is one too many. Our armed forces and security agencies have my total support in the performance of their duties.

Nevertheless, going forward, it is not sufficient for us to be reactive on issues concerning the security of lives and property as well as the maintenance of law and order.

“My expectations are that our armed forces and security agencies should be proactive. We must employ intelligence to nip crises in the bud even before it can occur. Bearing this in mind, I have communicated my expectations to the new heads of our security apparatuses and it is my expectation that we would now experience a greater level of security of lives and property in all parts of Nigeria ”, he stated.

According to him, “I am also working with my cabinet and the entire governmental structure to improve the economy, pay living wages to workers, fight corruption, improve access to and quality of education and to provide stable power to jump start the real sector thus create much needed jobs. This we are doing because we know that the real cause of insecurity and civil disturbances is poverty, which brings economic and social pressures to bear on the masses resulting in incidences of insecurity and civil disturbances. Government must work for your good”.