President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has advised Africa to evolve a new military strategy with a change in mindset, in strategy, in tactics in equipment and in gear.
“We must also be brave enough to reform military doctrine and practice. We do not face a conventional army on the traditional field of battle. No, we contend against mobile, elusive irregular forces that disdain the normal rules of warfare.
”We must adjust accordingly to subdue the menace. This shall require a change in mindset, in strategy, in tactics in equipment and in gear.”
These were the charges given to African leaders by the President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the graduation ceremony of Senior Course 45 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji, Kaduna State today, July 21.
He emphasized the need for Nigeria and the neighbouring countries in the Lake Chad region to display courage in reforming their military doctrine and practices.
He said that the change in tactics has become necessary because the countries in the region are battling a “mobile and elusive irregular force” that disregards established rules of warfare.
The President pointed out that the adversaries facing countries in the sub-region are not conventional armies engaging in traditional battlefield warfare.
The Nigerian leader, who encouraged African countries to work together against common threats, acknowledged the multinational efforts of Nigeria, Cameroon, the Niger Republic, and Chad to bring peace to the Lake Chad region.
He reinforced his message that the collaboration should serve as a commendable example to be emulated and improved on wherever necessary.
The President also used the occasion to spell out his National Security Objective, saying it would focus on ensuring security, justice, and democratic prosperity through state power.
While acknowledging the commitment of the immediate-past government in enhancing the combat readiness of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the President pledged to “pick up the pace,” by providing the necessary support to the military.
”As Commander-in-Chief, I have given myself the following charge: to deploy the entire machinery of state power to ensure security of our people and property in a just and democratic society.
”Under my predecessor, the Armed Forces worked tirelessly toward necessary reforms to enhance combat effectiveness and operational capability. We must now pick up the pace.”
President Tinubu described the role of the armed forces in combatting Africa’s greatest challenge of violence and exploitation as crucial, urging them to defend the continent from geopolitical changes and resource competition.
”We live in a moment of flux. Geopolitical change is afoot. Old alliances and assumptions are being tested as new ones are being shaped. Trade and global economic activity are fast, yet fragile and easily disrupted by war, weather or pandemic.
”Underlying it all is the often unspoken but urgent competition for precious resources. Water, food, gold, oil and other items have all been placed in contest.
”In too many instances, the contest turns violent. Areas that should blossom into economic prosperity and hope become factories of pillage and oppression.
”In Africa, this condition is perhaps our greatest challenge and harshest injustice.
”Your role combating this grave evil is crucial. For we call on you to defend not only our land and resources but our people and their democratic existence.
”Your training was sculpted to fit the imperatives of our times,” the President told the 291 graduating officers.
Commending the graduates from Nigeria’s Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, as well as students from Asia and sister Africa nations, the President underscored the importance of the College and its contributions to professionalism and defense of national interests.
Addressing the graduating students from Asia and Africa, the President said their presence in Nigeria is a testimony that national security is not solely achieved through muscle and might, but also in building friendships and alliances based on cooperation, justice, good governance and mutual respect.
”Notwithstanding the demands of your training, I hope you have enjoyed our customary Nigerian friendliness as well because Nigeria is one of the most hospitable countries you can find. We have opened our arms like friends and brothers to you.
”To the graduating students from Nigeria’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies, you have warranted the confidence of your respective organizations.
”The knowledge gained here will prove invaluable in our mission to harmonize all aspects of government policy and programs toward the twin goals of national security and national prosperity.”
The President also commended the College’s efforts in curricula improvement and facility upgrade, encouraging the graduates to stand brave and unwavering in their constitutional responsibilities as defenders of the nation.
”I leave you with a charge much like the one I gave myself. Your nation has invested much in your training.
”Much faith has been placed upon your broad shoulders. Our collective safety rests in your hands.
”Your graduation today is a call to greater duty for the nation you love. May you stand brave and unwavering in the discharge of your constitutional responsibilities and may you always do honour to the sterling name of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College.”
At the ceremony, many of the participants who distinguished themselves were awarded various prizes. Squadron Leader S.S Yikawe got both the Chief of Defence Staff Award (Department of Joint Studies) and Chief of Air Staff Award (Department of Air Warfare) prize. Major A.A Bako was awarded for Chief of Army Staff Award (Department of Land Warfare) while Surg Lt Cdr. K.O Nwagwu got the prize for Chief of Naval Staff Award (Department of Maritime Warfare).
Dr. K.O Adams got the prize for the Commandant’s Award for Best Non-military Student. Major PJ Nartey from Ghana won the Commandant’s Award for Best International Student.
Present at the colourful occasion were Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, all the Service Chiefs and members of the Diplomatic Corps.
The Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has expressed sympathy with the people of Ikire on the flood disaster that wrecked havoc on the western part of the state.
Tinubu: A President Confronted By 2 Enemies, By Demola Alabi
The first time I voted was in the 1979 general elections because I was not old enough to exercise my franchise in the first republic. This notwithstanding, I have critically studied what occured in the first republic as a student of Politics, economics, history and law.
Premised on the above facts, I have enough experience and education to do a comparative analysis of the political and economic analysis of Nigeria from the precolonial days up till today.
I confidently posit that since independence, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the ever first President to be confronted by two enemies @ the same time vis: the cabals and the masses.
The cabals are fighting tooth and nail with Mr President because he has prevented them from the several millions they make daily during the policy of dual foreign exchange rates. Through their connections to the topmost echelon in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), they were powerful enough to buy Dollars @ the official rate of about #460=$1 and sold it @ about #750 @ the black market rate. Can you imagine how much these cabals would make if each of them was able to get just $1million dollar every week? By my own estimation, they would be making almost #300million weekly @ the comforts of their homes without lifting a finger which in economics parlance is referred to as round-tripping. With the merging of the dual foreign exchange rates by this administration, do you think these people will in their heart of heart, want Tinubu to succeed in his bid to positively transform this nation? Your guess is as good as mine. What about the cabals that were profiting from the petrol subsidy regime? These cabals were fraudulently making several billion of Naira through the subsidy era on daily basis. The removal of the subsidy was a rude shock to these cabals. It has prevented them from their dubious and corrupt way of raking several billions of Naira on weekly basis. Do you think that these cabals will want this present regime to succeed too? These people are no doubt, enemy number one.
The second class of enemies of this regime, are the masses whom the present administration is trying to protect and defend by introducing these necessary but painful policies of the government but alas, they see the present president (Tinubu) as their number one enemy. They are ardent critics of this present administration. Their criticism is premised primarily on partisanship and partly due to ignorance. Refer to the article I wrote a few days ago on this platform, titled “excruciating pains of the hike in petrol price”.
I can confidently posit that, we shall arrive @ our comfort zone sooner than our expectations if we can endure, persevere and support these hard but necessary policies of the present administration. I pray that our present political leaders also play their parts objectively. The bitter truth is that the cabals who have been profiting from the two way exchange rates (official and black market rates) by raking several millions of Naira daily from differentials between the official and the black market rates vide round-tripping are covertly working against the good intention of our president and the masses who the president is fighting for, are critical about the good but painful policies of the government partly due to ignorance and mainly due to partisanship. I pray that these two types of people (the cabals and the masses) have a change of mindset, otherwise, the good intention of this regime may take longer than necessary before the set goals are accomplished, if it’s going to be accomplished@ all.
I admonish all of us to keep praying fervently for our good intentioned president and give him our absolute support to enable him accomplish his good and necessary intentioned but definitely painful policies. No doubt, no healing of wounds can occur without some pains. This is what most Nigerians don’t want to understand.
We are in it together. Our collective actions can make or mar the realization of the good intention but painful policies of the government @ the centre.
It is sad that a government that is confronted headlong by two major enemies in a nation, if not strongly determined, may be forced to appease the citizens by rolling out policies which might on the short run benefit the populace but not meant to positively transform Nigeria on the Long Run because most people want to eat their tomorrow today. Let us please, endure, persevere, tolerate and support this present regime in her bid to positively transform Nigeria.