On Wednesday Northern Governors Forum reacted to President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointment of new Service Chiefs, saying they need cooperation of Nigerians to effectively tackle insecurity bedeviling the nation.
Simon Lalong, Chairman of the Forum and governor of Plateau State, in a statement on Wednesday appealed to Nigerians to support and pray for the new Service Chiefs as they provide leadership for the patriotic officers and men of the Armed Forces.
The Forum welcomed the appointment, but stated that the cooperation of Nigerians was needed more than anything for the Generals to put up a final onslaught against protracted security challenges.
He commended the former Service Chiefs for giving their best in the service of the nation.
The statement said: “We commend the President for taking the decision and asked the new Service Chiefs to put in their best not only to meet the expectations of the Commander-in-Chief, but also that of Nigerians who have high expectations for enhanced security and safety of lives and properties.
The Forum assured the new Service Chiefs of the governors’ supports as they set to discharge their duties, while he advised them to learn from their challenges in order to address the lingering problems of terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes that the nation has been battling to contain.
Governor Lalong also thanked the former Service Chiefs for their courage, sacrifices and commitment towards protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and for dealing with internal threats during their stewardship, and wished them well in their future endeavours.
