President Muhammadu Buhari has dismissed those agitating for the country’s dismemberment as not knowing what it is like to fight a war.
The President spoke on Sunday in Maiduguri, Borno State, at military ceremonies to mark the National Independence Day in Maiduguri.
He was at the epicentre of the Book Haram terrorism and insurgency to honour the courage and sacrifices of the Armed Forces.
The ceremony which was marked by a display of military hardware and a show of air power by the Air Force took place in the Maimalari Military Cantonment which houses the headquarters of the Theatre Command, “Operation Lafiya Dole.”
It was the first time such ceremonies will take place outside the nation’s capital.
“Under this leadership, there will be resources as much as the country can afford to support your operations. As long as you live and in service, your rights will be guarded jealousy,” the President in an impromptu speech he made after inspecting the military guard of honour.
He asked members of the three arms of the military to remain steadfast and loyal.
“You must stand firm for your country. The centre is determined to hold. You must be loyal to the centre. If Nigeria breaks, you are the first line of losers so you must stand firm for your selves and for the country. The security of the country is in your hands and in the hands of God,” he stressed.
President Buhari reiterated an earlier warning in his National Day Broadcast that the country will not break up under his watch and dismissed those agitating for its division as dreamers who were not born when the country went through a debilitating civil war in which two million lives were lost.
“Those who are making noises were not born, so they don’t know what we went through. They don’t know. I like to remind you that whatever happens, you are at the front lines of the defence of the citizens wherever they live. This administration is prepared to protect all citizens residing in all parts of the country.”
Buhari fought against Biafran forces in the Nigerian Civil War from 1967 to 1970.
The President commended the fortitude of the wounded-in-action soldiers who are receiving treatment and wished them quick recovery when he met them in a special tent.
President Buhari also inspected several military equipment, newly-acquired and those refurbished put on display as well as some of the new acquisitions of the Air Force that included night-vision Mi 35 attack helicopters.
In his welcome speech at the ceremony, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin commended the President for showing a lot of care for the Armed Forces.
He assured the President that the country’s military will continue to be loyal to the administration and expressed their readiness to guarantee the sovereignty of the nation and the security of its people.
The CDS said the visit by the President will rejig and boost the spirit of the Armed Forces, assuring that with better morale, they will fight better.
