DE SAINT RECORDS

GOV
DICKSON WANTS GREATER SUPPORT FROM GOVERNORS, NIGERIANS FOR NATION’S
MILITARY .... SAYS INSTITUTION BELONGS TO ALL, NOT FOR FG, INCUMBENT
POLITICAL LEADER ALONE

04/06/2014.
Governor Seriake
Dickson of Bayelsa State has described the nation’s military as a
treasured institution, that deserves the support of all Nigerians to
enable it win the ongoing war against terrorism.

He particularly called
on the political class to show patriotism by sinking their differences
and rally round security agencies in protecting lives and property and
the territorial integrity of the country.

Governor Dickson
made the call, when he granted audience to the Joint Military Task Force
(JTF) commander, Major General Emmanuel Atewe and Chief of Training and
Operations, Defence Headquarters, Abuja, Major General Ebibowei Awala
in Government House, Yenagoa.

He appealed to his colleagues
(Governors) not to see the responsibility of supporting the military as
the exclusive preserve of the Federal Government as the institution does
not belong to any incumbent political leader.

His words “Let
me say this to all Nigerians that our military deserves support, not
vilification; our military deserves understanding and not attack. The
military of this country is one of our treasured national institutions,
and we must all work hard to give them support especially at times like
this, when they are called upon in very difficult times and
circumstances at the risk of life to offer services to keep us safe.

“I want to offer my personal appreciation, and with respect to the
ongoing military, security and intelligence operations in some parts of
this country, let me (again) associate myself with the call that all
political, opinion, religious, business and all leaders of whatever
description should unite in defence of our military and right to life of
our people wherever they may be”.

He said, “In all countries
and at all times, when nations face dangers and come under attack by a
common enemy, political leaders sink their differences and come together
to address that common problem. Let this not be different about
Nigeria.”
Governor Dickson expressed gratitude to the JTF and other
security agencies in the state for joining hands with his administration
in the implementation of its policy of zero tolerance on crime,
criminality and violence.

He particularly commended the
officers for their selfless and dedicatedservices, and urged the
military to intensify their efforts at clamping down on terrorism, sea
piracy and illegal oil bunkering.

In their separate remarks,
the JTF Commander, Major General Emmanuel Atewe and Chief of Training
and Operations, Defence Headquarters, Abuja, Major General Ebibowei
Awala expressed appreciation to Governor Dickson for what they described
as outstanding support to security agencies.

Assuring the
Governor of the JTF’s readiness to get rid of oil bunkering and other
related vices, Major General Atewe attributed the current level of
achievements recorded in the area by the special task force to the
assistance it receives from the Bayelsa State Government.
“I want to
once again thank you for providing an enabling environment in terms of
resources and logistics to support the JTF to do what they are doing.
If they have ever achieved anything, I think it’s because of the
enabling environment provided by you that enables JTF to stand.

According to Major Gen. Awala, he was in the state to appraise the
operations of the joint military taskforce with a view to ascertaining
its challenges to enhance its capacity to combat oil theft and other
crimes in the Niger Delta region.