President Jonathan Visits Nigerian Soldiers In Maidugri, Salutes Their Courage And Patriotism
President Jonathan Visits Nigerian Soldiers In Maidugri, Salutes Their Courage And Patriotism
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan undertook a surprise visit to
Maiduguri Thursday on the occasion of Nigeria’s Armed Forces Remembrance
Day to meet with officers and men of the Armed Forces currently in the
frontline of the war against terrorism and insurgency in the
country.Accompanied by the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs'
the
National Security Adviser and the Director-General of the National
Emergency Management Agency, President Jonathan visited officers and men
of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army at Maimalari Cantonment in
Maiduguri to thank them for their patriotic and courageous service to
the nation. The President told officers and soldiers of the Division
that the nation was very proud of them and grateful for their dedication
and commitment to the defence of the civilian population against
terrorists and violent extremists.
President Jonathan also assured the troops that the Federal
Government will continue to do everything possible to ensure that they
get the weapons, equipment, welfare and logistics support they require
to completely rout the insurgents and restore full security and normalcy
to affected parts of the country. Describing the troops as a special
breed of men who were undertaking a great assignment for their
fatherland, the President assured them that all necessary action was
being taken to address challenges facing them in their operations
against Boko Haram.“In terms of equipment and logistics, we have already made considerable progress since the insurgency started and we will continue to improve in that regard until your operations are successfully concluded,” he told the soldiers. President Jonathan also toured wards of the 7 Division Hospital and Medical Services Centre where he met with soldiers recovering from injuries sustained in operations against Boko Haram. He wished them speedy recovery. Before leaving the Borno State capital, President Jonathan visited over 900 displaced persons from Baga at a camp in the city. The President commiserated with the displaced persons on the losses they suffered during the attack on their town by Boko Haram. He promised them that the Federal Government will strive to make their stay in the camps more comfortable while it continues to do all within its powers to restore peace and security to enable them return to their homes soon.
“Terrorism and insurgency have been very traumatic for all of us. I feel particularly disturbed when I hear of our people being displaced within their own country. “I assure you and other displaced persons that Government is working very hard to ensure that you do not remain in these camps for too long. “I know that many of your houses have been destroyed. We will assist you financially so that you can rebuild your homes and return to them gradually,” President Jonathan told the displaced persons. The President thanked the Red Cross and other international organizations who have been assisting in the provision of relief materials to the displaced persons. He also charged local, state and federal government officials to work with greater harmony and cooperation in rendering support to the displaced persons.
“I do not want to be hearing conflicting reports on support being given to them. Government is one and we must all work together to assist our people whenever the need arises. “We must cooperate maximally and work together at the local government, state and federal levels to ensure that our people who are unfortunately displaced from their homes get the best possible treatment,” President Jonathan said.
Reuben Abati Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity)
President Jonathan Visits Nigerian Soldiers In Maidugri, Salutes Their Courage And Patriotism
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