A Nation overwhelmed by Insecurity but churns out Generals in multiple dozens is sick
Oru Leonard
Prominent civil rights advocacy group: HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) has carpeted the president and commander-in-chief for permitting the promotions of over 100 full military Generals at a time that terrorists had just successfully killed nearly 200 civilians in their 23 villages in Plateau State.
HURIWA said that the promotion of the military officers to the rank of Generals even when the military and police seemed to be either compromised, colluding with terrorists for pecuniary benefits with the prolongation of coordinated terrorist attacks, showed that Nigeria has degraded and devalued the esteem and prestige attached to such illustrious rank in the military around the World in the 21st century just as the Rights group said it is frightening that Nigeria has more military Generals than even first World nations like the USA, Canada, USA, Australia amongst others and wondered on what criteria are the soldiers who can’t defeat ragtag terrorists for a dozen years are been promoted yearly.
The Rights group said there is every likelihood that certain top flight Generals are colluding with terrorists and kidnappers which is why the war on terror has lingered for too long and kidnappers are successfully negotiating and receiving millions of dollars in ransom payments without been detected even when they make use of telephone for their negotiations.
The Rights group in a New Year message stated that only a failed state will the military and police who have failed willfully to combat and defeat terrorists including kidnappers who successfully negotiate and receive ransom payments without being detected or arrested by security agents, will the same government continue to reward soldiers and police with rapid promotions which are totally unmerritorious and ridiculous.
HURIWA said the decorations in recent days of nearly one hundred military Generals in the Nigerian Army, Airforce, Navy, amidst the devastation unleashed by armed non-state actors due to massive failures of security intelligence, is not the a manifestation of a failed state.
Besides, HURIWA addressed a number of other critical issues derailing the economic wellbeing of citizens just as the organisation suggested that one of the compulsive measures to bring out the best from the officers and members of the armed forces and police is to suspend immediately any kind of promotion and especially the practice of churning out hundreds of Generals with zero battlefield experience. The Rights group said Nigeria should have a timeline within which the terrorists are totally vanquished, Defeated and crushed or the annual promotions in the military and police including in the DSS, immigration, Customs, and civil defence Corps are suspended indefinitely.
HURIWA in the end of year message endorsed by the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the group stated as follows: “As we approach the emergence of another year, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) extends its sincere and heartfelt greetings to all Nigerians. In this pivotal moment of transition, it is imperative to reflect on the challenges that persist within our nation and to reiterate the critical imperatives that demand the immediate attention of the government.
The scourge of insecurity continues to inflict profound distress and suffering upon our people, necessitating resolute and decisive action from the government. The preservation of life and property is a fundamental obligation, and we call upon the authorities to prioritize the creation of a secure environment, free from the pervasive threats of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities that undermine the peace and stability of our nation.
Moreover, the staggering statistic of 133 million households living in abject poverty underscores the urgent need for sustained intervention. It is imperative for the government to implement comprehensive measures aimed at uplifting these vulnerable segments of our society, providing them with the requisite support and resources to alleviate their plight and enhance their overall well-being. Addressing poverty at its core is not merely a moral imperative; it is an economic and social necessity for the advancement of our nation.
Critical infrastructure, most notably our roads, education, and healthcare systems, demand immediate and sustained attention. Access to well-maintained road networks is indispensable for fostering economic growth and social cohesion, while quality education and healthcare represent inalienable human rights that must be made universally accessible. The government bears the responsibility of allocating resources and formulating effective policies to address these pivotal sectors, ensuring that every Nigerian has unfettered access to quality education, healthcare, and safe, reliable transportation infrastructure.
Above all, the upholding of human rights and the unwavering adherence to the principles of the rule of law stand as non-negotiable cornerstones of a just and equitable society. Every individual is entitled to the full spectrum of their fundamental human rights, including the right to life, freedom of expression, and equitable treatment under the law. Similarly, the adherence to the rule of law serves as the linchpin of a democratic society, guaranteeing that all individuals, irrespective of their station, are held accountable for their actions and decisions.
As we enter the new year 2024, HURIWA implores the government to accord primacy to these pressing concerns, laboring diligently to forge a Nigeria that is safer, more prosperous, and unwaveringly committed to the protection of the rights of its citizens. Let us collectively endeavour to realize a nation wherein every citizen is empowered to live a life of dignity, equality, and freedom. In closing, HURIWA extends its earnest wishes for a tranquil and prosperous New Year to all Nigerians, replete with the promise of hope and positive transformation.
(/HURIWA Press)
