Governor Godswill Akpabio being welcomed by Chief of Army Staff, Lt.
General KTJ Minimah to the 2014 Chief of Army Staff Conference in Uyo,
while Minister of Defence General Aliyu Mohammed (rtd) watches with
admiration.
Governor Godswill Akpabio has advocated the establishment of a joint military task force between Nigeria and other neighbouring African countries in an effort aimed at containing the current security insurgency.
Governor Akpabio who stated this Tuesday while addressing the opening of 2014 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference at Le Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo noted, “I appeal to the Nigerian Army to produce an uncommon strategy to tackle insurgency through a joint African contingent.
“There must be a joint task force with other African countries because if we succeed in containing insurgency in Nigeria, and we still have insurgency in Cameroon, we will still face the effect of it”, he advocated.
Akpabio, who as a Special Guest lauded the Nigerian Army for their courage and determination to restore peace in Nigeria, noting “We are happy that the Army kept the faith and kept the flame of professionalism burning. No country has ever entered a war with the army it needs, but rather with the army it has paid for and trained”.
According to him, “As the character of the war has evolved, our Army has responded with flexibility and courage. Armies do not define the challenges they face, they adapt to the challenges that come their way and in this wise, our Army has done well.”
“We as a nation may have nothing to give to you for your kindness in fighting for our freedom, in staying awake so that we can sleep in our houses, in roving in the wild so that we can live in peace in our houses; but we want you to know that we love you and have for you leather vest of gratitude and your heroics shall forever be stenciled in the sacred places of our hearts”, the Governor maintained.