A group of Nigerians in the diaspora, under the aegis of AriseNigeria, has called on the Senate’s leadership to consider what it called a “Patriot Bill” to celebrate serving Armed Forces personnel in the country.
The group made the call in a communique issued at the end of a general meeting, which held in Brussels, Belgium, to discuss the state of the nation and other sundry issues of concerns, copy of which was made available to newsmen.
In the communiqué, which was signed by its president, Dr Agwu Onyeke and 13 country heads, among others, the group of Nigerians charged the Ahmed Lawan’s led 9th Senate to set out the modalities for honouring well-deserving heroes that demonstrate exceptional gallantry in service to fatherland.
This was just as the group lauded President Muhammadu Buhari on the war against insurgency and the nation’s handling of the Coronavirus outbreak.
AriseNigeria counselled the Senate to channel its energy into a course that would reward the military’s invaluable contributions to the growth and development of Nigeria instead of frittering away energy on the Armed Forces Commission Bill.
“That the Senate must as a matter of national interest discontinue further proceedings on the obnoxious Armed Forces Service Commission Bill and instead pass a Nigerian Patriot Bill that will set out the modalities for honouring well-deserving heroes that demonstrate exceptional gallantry in service to fatherland,” the communiqué said.
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The communiqué observed that the Buhari- led government and the citizens had indeed demonstrated rare patriotism in this all critical period, describing such as commendable.
According to AriseNigeria, the president has indeed demonstrated capacity in many areas, especially on insecurity, where the Nigerian Military has continued to sustain massive onslaught on the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group, declaring that the fight against terrorism required all the input and support of all critical stakeholders in Nigeria.
“That the Nigerian citizenry must, as a matter of urgency, ensure that it extends its support to the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Military as it pushes for the final onslaught against the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group in Nigeria.
“That Nigeria must implore global best practices by honouring members of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who have continued to make sacrifices for the country.
“That the federal government should embrace the idea of national honours for members of the Armed Forces for their invaluable contributions to the growth and development of Nigeria,” the communiqué stated.
The communiqué, while acknowledging and commending the federal government in tackling Coronavirus, said Nigerian citizens must realize that “the pandemic is global, and as such, all hands must be on deck to contain its spread in the country.”
On the recent court rulings from the apex court and other courts, AriseNigeria said all those attested to the fact that the Buhari administration was committed to the rule of law against political considerations.
It enjoined the government to “continue to allow opposing views, especially by the opposition parties and individuals who see nothing good in the administration, provided such expressions do not in any way constitute a security threat to the country.”
“The Muhammadu Buhari led administration must continue to justify the mandate given to it by the people during the last general elections by ensuring that its actions and inactions are in good faith for the continued growth and development of Nigeria,” AriseNigeria charged.