Richard Anyebe
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said remarkable progress has been made in the fight against insurgency in the country.
Buhari however, admitted that the fight against insecurity in his eight years in office was challenging.
The president stated this during the official unveiling of the national and regimental colours of the new and operationalised units of the Nigerian Army at the Eagle Square in Abuja on Thursday.
“Since the inception of this administration in 2015, the nation’s security situation was greatly challenged by activities of violence and non-state actors.
“Today, I’m pleased to specifically note that the situation has tremendously improved and I wish to also highlight that we have made remarkable progress in the fight against insurgents, militants, oil bunkers, kidnappers, and other criminal elements in the country.
“The Nigerian Army that we celebrate today would not have been able to discharge its responsibilities,” Buhari said.
“The fighting power of our army was at a low rate as of May 2015. However, seven years later, its fighting power has increased significantly making it fourth in ranking among African militaries as against seventh in 2015.”
President Buhari said the government interventions in the yearly budget allocation to the Army between 2020 and 2022 have been able to procure utilities and resources for the fight against insurgency.
Reports say deserving units who have played vital roles in securing the country were decorated at the event.
He thanked the Chief of Defence Staff and also commended Nigerians for perseverance.
The president added that the country will continue to rely on support from all segments of the Nigerian society in ensuring the maintenance of peace and security of the nation.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, and Senate President, Ahmed Lawan were some of the dignitaries that attended the event.
In other news, Kanyi Daily reported that former Kaduna Senator, Shehu Sani has tackled Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi for naming the newly constructed international airport in the state after President Muhammadu Buhari.
He commended Umahi for the construction of the airport but said it is “immoral and sycophantic” to name two airports in the country after the president.
