The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has admonished President Muhammadu Buhari to look beyond the appointment of new Service Chiefs and put more measures in place to address the increasing waves of insecurity across the country.
The association said Nigerians are awaiting the result of the new appointments, but commended the president on the appointment of new set of Service Chiefs, noting that it would boost the fight against insecurity and other criminal activities threatening the survival of the country.
NAWOJ, in a release by its president, Ladi Bala, welcomed the resignation of the former Service Chiefs and appointment of new ones and expressed the hope that the development is a move towards the total overhaul of the nation’s security architecture with a view to safe guarding the lives and property of Nigerians.
“More than just replacement of the service chiefs, there is the dire need for the federal government to provide the necessary logistics, weaponry, needed equipment as well as enhanced welfare to boost the morale of personnel in the renewed efforts towards the fight against insurgency, armed banditry, kidnappings and other related criminal activities confronting the country,” the release added.
The association equally calls on the newly-appointed Service Chiefs to come up with new strategies in contending the rising security challenges that is threatening the peace of the nation.
It said it is sad and unhealthy to note that women are the worst hit in all the security crisis bedeviling Nigeria, “a situation that needs to be addressed urgently, adding that no nation can develop when the destiny of more than half of its population, made up of women and children, is under severe threat.
Towards this end, NAWOJ tasks the new Service Chiefs to bear in mind the expectations of Nigerians, and thus they must live above board in the discharge of their new responsibilities.
“The new Service Chiefs need not be reminded that their appointments came on a heel of unacceptable spike in criminal activities particularly insurgency, banditry and kidnappings across the country.
“We look forward, in the coming weeks, to a drastic reduction to the barest minimum, the general insecurity in the country through innovative and deployment of required actions to guarantee the safety of Nigerians and Nigeria.
“We also commend the contribution of the immediate past chiefs who put in their best to keep the country from collapse and wishes them a peaceful retirement life after years of meritorious service to the country.
“We equally appeals to Nigerians to cooperate and give necessary support to the new Service Chiefs and other security agencies in the effort towards winning the war against insecurity in the country. Nigeria is ours. Let’s protect our fatherland,” the release added