Kingsley Omonobi
31 December 2008
Defence Minister, Dr. Shetima Mustapha yesterday tasked the Nigeria armed forces to justify the confidence and pride it enjoys from Nigerians and the Federal Government by staying above board and steadfastly maintaining its loyalty to the constitution by rededicating itself to the service of the country.
He made the call while decorating four principal officers attached to the Ministry at the Ship House, Abuja and they are Colonel Sagir Yaro, Staff Officer to the Minister of Defence, Group Capt. Olu Tunwase, Military assistant to the Permanent Secretary MOD, Group Capt. Morakinyo Akiode, Staff
Officer in MOD and Major Madaki, the OC Provost at MOD.
While harping on the weight of expectation on the military in the task of ensuring the territorial integrity of the country, the Minister said, "Your duties are not only to humanity but I believe it is also a service to God because it adds to the development of the individuals and the country.
Issue of integrity is key, since it has no duplicate, it is either you have it or you don't and as professionals I expect you not to compromise but to adhere to the ethics".
To the staff and personnel of the ministry, the Minister said, "I want to assure you that I have come to this ministry with a clean and positive mind. This thing called integrity should be taken seriously around here because it has no substitute if we are to succeed and achieve our set goals. So nobody should feel insecure as long as you do the right thing always".
Earlier the Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Demola Seriki enjoined the newly decorated officers to strive higher to move the Ministry and the country higher than it was before their elevation to the new ranks.
He emphasized that integrity should be their watchword, noting that, "It is often heard that after being promoted, some military officers often engage in acts that leads to their demotion, so it is incumbent on you to abstain from anything that will tarnish your image and that of the military or blemish what you have worked so hard to accomplish."
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