The Nigerian Army has declared that the era of soldiers acting with impunity while wearing uniforms is over.
Chief of Civil Military Affairs at the Nigerian Army, Major General Nosakhare Ugboh, stated this on Tuesday in Bauchi during a one-day human rights lecture and sensitisation workshop for soldiers in the 33 Artillery Brigade.
According to Ugboh, there is a need for soldiers, especially the younger ones, to understand their role and behave professionally in society, as the days of abusing power are gone.
He added that the workshop, which is part of the Chief of Army Staff’s efforts to enhance professionalism within the army, also aims at instilling proper conduct and ethics among soldiers.
His words “For some of you who are old soldiers, there was a time when being a soldier in uniform was an open license to do and undo, those days are gone and you can only look back to them with nostalgia.
“For the younger soldiers, some of you may have joined the army for the sole purpose of having the power to lure it over citizens, not in uniform.
“Whatever may have been your idea about what it means to be a soldier, this workshop would help you to better understand your proper place and conduct in relation to the larger society”.
In his welcome address, the Brigade Commander, Nigerian Army, 33 Artillery, Bauchi, Brig:-Gen Emmanuel Egbe, said that the workshop would serve as a reminder to all the participants of the roles they play as military men in the larger society.
He said it would also put them through the importance of keeping ethical standards in their conduct to recognise the significance and the responsibilities they carry in their profession of being soldiers.
Egbe further urged the participants to listen attentively, participate actively in the workshop and ask questions to clear their doubts.
OsunDailyNG reports that the theme of the workshop is: “The Proper Conduct of the Nigerian Soldiers within the larger society.”
