Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, says massive corruption that existed in the Armed Forces over the years is the major reason the Boko Haram insurgents ravaged the northeast with ease over the years.
The Vice President made the observation on Thursday at the convocation ceremony for cadets of 63 Regular Course and Postgraduate students of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), in Kaduna state.
He noted that Boko Haram terrorists gained more grounds in the region over a long period due to the failure of the previous administration to provide the needed equipment, supplies and welfare for the fighting troops in theatre of operations.
Professor Osinbajo explained that the successes recorded by the Nigerian military against Boko Haram insurgents is as a result of the present administration’s determination to rid the military institutions of corruption.
He, however, applauded the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) for maintaining standards in their task of producing officers for the nation’s Armed Forces.
He added that the successful training of cadets over the years is a clear manifestation of hard work and dedication, and also justifies the wisdom and dreams of the founding fathers in establishing the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1964.
On the current economic hardship in the country, the Vice President again attributed the situation to corruption, lack of savings by former administrations and attack on oil installations in the Niger Delta.
He then reeled out some of the federal government’s palliative measures to cushion the effect on the citizens.
During the ceremony, awards were also presented to some best graduating students.
Three prominent Nigerians, which include the first woman vice chancellor in Nigeria, Professor Grace Allele Williams, Chairman of Innosson Motors, Mr Innocent Chukwuma also received awards of honorary degrees for distinguishing themselves in their fields of endeavour.
Speaking to reporters outside the hall, one of the award recipients, Professor Grace Allele Williams, urged the federal government to pay more attention to research and innovation, in order to improve the nation’s technological advancement.
The convocation ceremony attracted the presence of all the service chiefs, Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state and relations of graduating cadets.
It was the first time the convocation held separately from the passing out parade.
[Channels TV]
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