BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI, Abuja
President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday that his administration was bent on tackling the menace of corruption in the country, noting that the scourge is retarding the nation’s developmental efforts.
President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday that his administration was bent on tackling the menace of corruption in the country, noting that the scourge is retarding the nation’s developmental efforts.
Towards this end, he noted that government is strengthening the Police and other anti-corruption agencies to enable them rekindle the war against menace in all its ramifications.
Speaking through Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo at the graduation ceremony of Course 20 participants of the National Defence College in Abuja, Jonathan also harped on the security challenges facing the nation, saying, “The world in which we live today is faced with diverse threats to its collective peace. As you are aware, insecurity remains a front burner national issue due to the activities of a misguided few.
“A combination of conventional and unconventional threats, ranging from transnational terrorism to weapons proliferation, organized crime, regional conflict, environmental degradation etc, is making our world increasingly insecure.
“Let me assure you that government is more than ever determined to address the novel acts of terrorism that confront our nation. I am glad to note that the military is reinforcing its collaboration with the Police and other security agencies to checkmate these unpatriotic activities within our national borders.
“As a responsive government dedicated to meeting the expectations of our people, we are reforming our bureaucracy and strengthening our institutions to ensure greater efficiency, and competence” he noted.
“We are also determined to build a sound educational base for all strata of the polity, particularly the Armed Forces. We are also strengthening our collaboration with our foreign partners and our Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Money laundering laws”.
Continuing, he said, “This situation requires us to evolve strategies to effectively eliminate these threats. I am confident that the National Defence College has prepared you, Course 20 Officers, adequately for these and other strategic challenges.
“Your expertise and research findings will undoubtedly contribute to our efforts to build a safe world, where nations can aspire to their best potentials within acceptable international laws.
“ Nigeria remains committed to global peace. We will continue to collaborate with other countries in order to attain a more secure world that guarantees peace and development. The ultimate goal of this administration is to bequeath to the next generation, a more peaceful and united country, where all citizens, without fear or hindrance, can tap the vast opportunities of the 21st Century”.
“Since assuming office, we have made improving the quality of life of our people the bedrock of our policies and actions. As a major step towards realizing this, we have established a firm foundation for good governance through transparency and accountability”.
“We have restored great confidence in our electoral process such that the conduct of credible and peaceful elections is fast becoming a norm in our country”.
Earlier, Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral Thomas Lokoson disclosed that 130 participants drawn from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Airforce, Police, SSS, NIA, NSCDC, Foreign African Countries, started and completed the 46 weeks strategic management course noting that the college has entered into partnership with the AU, ECOWAS, Royal Defence Academy UK, the British Advisory team and German government among others.
“Early in the year, the office of the National Security Adviser tasked this college to research on the subject of national security policy. This is sequel to the realization that there is no single document capturing the national security perspectives of our country’.
“I am glad to report, that we have articulated a comprehensive, all embracing and contemporary draft national security document for Nigeria” he said adding, “This has been forwarded to other stakeholders for their comments and necessary imputes for final collation before presentation to the National Security Adviser”.
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