Amidst growing tensions and skeptisms over the would-be outcome of the 2015 general elections, President Goodluck Jonathan has declared that the upcoming general elections scheduled to hold on March 28 and April 11 respectively, must hold as scheduled and not derail.
(Cover photo: President Jonathan at the Naval Dockyard in Lagos to commission 4 Naval Warships – Okpabana, Sagbama, Centenary and Prosperity.)
President Jonathan doused budding tensions as he made the resolve today, Thursday February 19, 2015 while commissioning four Naval Warships at the Naval Dockyard in Lagos recently acquired by the Federal Government.
One of the four Naval Warships named Okpabana, Sagbama, Centenary and Prosperity
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to the course of the elections and assured Nigerians that the election timetable will not derail.
He further urged well-meaning to support the Independent Electoral Commission [INEC] in discharging their mandate.
President Jonathan also spoke on the achievement of his administration in its bid to control the insurgents that has been wreaking havoc in the Northern parts of Nigeria.
President Jonathan said, “Let me also use this platform to promise my good country men and women that we will rout Boko Haram.
“Our capacity has increased sufficiently and our officers and men are doing wonderfully well.
“They are working hard day and night and I directed that Nigerians should be briefed regularly.”
In his speech, he also assured Nigerians that the Nigerian Army are adequately equipped to end terrorism and other related vices.
He promised Nigerians that his administration will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that peace and normalcy are restored in the Northern region.
He, however, noted that the new Warships being commissioned will enhance effective Maritime security which he stressed will be imperative in view of the importance of the sectors to the nation’s economy.
He envisioned on what he termed, “The high dependence of the Nation’s economy on off-shore resources as well as the enormous potentials of the Maritime sectors to contribute to our food security and employment generation.”
He added: “Therefore, the Nigerian Navy, as a lead Maritime security agency deserve all the supports it needs to effectively carry out its statutory roles especially in the Agricultural sector.”
He further added that the four ships are part of the total of six ships being expected to join the Navy fleet before the end of this year.
The newly commissioned four Warships brings the total to 10 of newly acquired Warships if the earlier six acquired by Government Tompolo are considered
Courtesy of Elombah