The Emerging Leaders Forum of Nigeria (ELFON) has commended the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai for giving a morale-boosting talk to Nigerian troops at the frontline as the final push to dislodge the remnants of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists begins.
Speaking from his Owerri home this saturday morning, the national Chairman of ELFON; Hon. Godstime Chukwubuikem Samuel said Nigerian Youths are happy with the latest move by the Chief of Army staff and his men to end the existence of Boko haram insurgency in Nigeria.
Hon. Godstime said that Buratai’s appearance at the battle field to free Nigeria from shackles of the terrorists will enhance total elimination of such insurgency from the nation’s territories.
Report has it that Buratai had told informed his men that they were in the North-eastern parts of the country to carry out their solemn and righteous constitutional duties, which is to flush out criminals who have been terrorizing and killing innocent and law abiding Nigerians.
He added that officers and men of the Nigerian Army owe it a duty to save the country from the menace of terrorists, bandits and all forms of criminalities.
“We owe it a duty to the Nigerian people and to our President and Commander in Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari, for the confidence he has reposed in us to achieve the mandate the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has given us. We owe it a duty to serve our fatherland and protect our fellow country men and women,” he said.
The COAS reminded the troops of their professional calling to defend the territorial integrity of their fatherland, which they should be proud of.
“We must also be proud of our calling as professional soldiers and patriots. Therefore, we must go all out to stop and eliminate these criminals. We must do it now. There is no better time than now,” Buratai said.
He told the troops that there was no room for the chicken-hearted as the Nigerian Army of today is for the committed, disciplined, patriotic and selfless officers and soldiers.
“There is no room for cowardice and no room for the lily-levered ones. From now on it is FORWARD EVER BACKWARD NEVER. The sacrifices of our fallen heroes must never be in vain! Nigerian Army officers and soldiers have no cause to despair as ours is a noble and patriotic cause. It is a cause we must all be proud of,” Buratai said.
The COAS charged the gallant commanders to hold firmly to their officers and men.
“You must instill confidence through your words and actions. In order to win the trust and confidence of their subordinates, commanders must never show fear or fatigue.
“If they do that, they will lose all moral authority to lead and command their men. You cannot and must not take men and equipment into battle without situating it, without putting yourself through the whole course and playing out all the likely scenarios you may encounter and diligently working out all possible options.
“We must be committed and fastidious. We must consider and work out the minutest details, factors and all possible outcomes in all our operations,” he said.
The ELFON leader also commended the military intelligence unit for doing so well in providing troops with best informative approach to winning the war.
Buratai while addressing his men at the frontline, reminded the commanders that as leaders their focus must always be for the Nigerian Army.
“We must think out of the box and beyond the box. I charge you all to move out and bring this war to a positive end! Victory is from God Alone!
“God bless our gallant troops participating in our various operations, God bless the Nigerian Army and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added.
Hon. Godstime has assured the Chief of Army staff of total support from Nigerian Youths, promising that the members of ELFON will always pray for him and his troop while supporting them in any other endeavor.
He urged all Nigerians to pray for the Nigerian Army and support them with lofty information where necessary for the good and safety of us all.
