By; ISAAC ODEH, Kaduna
The image of Nigeria and its Army which is respected the world over must be protected by its officers and men going for peace keeping in Liberia, who must not be found tarnishing the image of the country.
Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai expressed this while addressing the graduating 700 officers and men of the Nigeria Battallion (NIBATT) 38 United Nations Mission In Liberia (UNMIL) from the Nigeria Army Peace Keeping Centre (NAPKC), Jaji on Friday.
“I must warn you to avoid untoward incident(s) that could tarnish the image of the Nigerian Army in particular and the nation in general. The Nigerian Army will not accept any situation where its troops are seen as soft targets or conducting themselves in unprofessional manner such as trafficking in illicit substances of any kind including alcohol and drugs as these practice negate United Nations ethics,” he said.
The Chief of Army Staff who was represented by the Chief of Training and Operations, Nigerian Army, Major General H. Umaru, said that the graduation ceremony further confirms the commitment of Nigeria in deploying quality peace keepers as part of its contributions to international peace and security in tune with the policy directive of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“As the Chief of Army Staff, I have been fully briefed on your preparatory activities since the unit was designated for deployment to the UNMIL. The period spent during the pre-deployment training at this centre of excellence was aimed at refreshing and polishing your knowledge and expertise in peace support operations,” he added.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commandant of NAPKC, Brigadier General A.M. Dauda explained that the graduands of NIBATT 38 commenced training four weeks ago in preparation for induction into UNMIL.
“The training was intensive and comprehensive in line with the UN pre-deployment modules, policy direction of COAS and COAS vision which is ‘to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles.’ This must remain in focus throughout the deployment of NIBATT 38 in LIBERIA,” he said.
He explained that under the guidance of the Army Headquarters, the centre had emphasized on human right observance, sexual exploitation and abuse and the need to be responsive and professional at all times to the graduands who have been well trained and ready to do the nation proud.
“You must be robust, aggressive and alert in the discharge of your mandated roles in Liberia,” he charged.
