Amgbare Ekaunkumo,Yenagoa
The Commander, 16 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Camp Buratai, Elebele Road, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, Brig. Gen. Olurotimi Awolo says the Nigerian Army remain apolitical and professional in protecting democracy and defending the territorial integrity of the nation.
Brigider General Olurotimi made this known when members of the United Correspondents Chapel (UCC) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa state council paid him a courtesy call in his office in Yenagoa, the state capital.
The commander of 16 brigade noted that, the Nigeria Army has always strive to be apolitical in its activities, adding that Nigerian Army is a thorough professional, disciplined, loyal and an apolitical institution that has clear constitutional roles and responsibilities.
“It is not part of our jurisdiction to pick which political party to support or which party to go against, but individually we are allow to exercise our franchise by way of voting, but that shouldn’t be applied to our official duty,”.
The Commander described the visit by members of the pen profession as apt, noting that it came at a time when media partnership with security agencies has become more imperative given the security situation in the country.
He averred that the media plays a key role in the fight against oil theft, terrorism, kidnapping, sea piracy and other antisocial vices through sharing of useful information and reportage of criminal activities in their areas of operation.
” The Media has helped us in projecting the 16 brigade activities especially in pursuance of the vision of Lt Gen Farouk Yahaya ,the Chief of Army staff to have a professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish its missions in a joint environment.,”.
He said apart from providing security to it’s citizenry, the brigade is also saddled with the responsibility of carrying out other social activities in Bayelsa State as a way of maintaining peace in the environment, stressing that those activities are used to show the people that apart from protecting them from social vices, it also care for their well being.
” We also engaged in civil activities such as provision of books, instructional materials to schools, conducting of free medical outreaches in various local government areas in Bayelsa State and playing of novelty football Matches, among others.
“We want to use these activities to show the people that apart from protecting them from social vices, we also care for them in other ways,”.
He emphasized that the Niger Delta where oil and gas activities are done is dear to the hearts of President Muhammadu Buhari, whom he said had been working hard to keep the economy afloat despite insecurities, and the Chief of Army Staff whom he described as equall to the present security challenges in the country.
While thanking the media practitioners for identifying with the military, the 16 Brigade Commander used the opportunity to warn those in the act of economic sabotage to desist forthwith or face the grave consequences.
Earlier in his remarks, the chairman of the United Correspondents Chapel, Mr. Akam James said he and his team were at the Camp Tukur Buratai to cement a military-media working relationship.
While commending the Brigade on its efforts in the fight against illegal oil refining and other criminal activities in the oil rich region, the UCC chairman promised collaboration with the security formation, calling for regular involvement of the media group in the coverage of the Brigade’s activities.
High point of the courtesy call was the presentation of souvenir to members of United Correspondents Chape by Brig. Gen. Olurotimi Awolo.
