Nigerian security challenges - Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan, on Friday assured Nigerians and the international community that the nation's 'security challenges are now under control.' President Jonathan said that with the efforts of Nigeria's defence and security forces, 'terrorism and other security challenges will soon be a thing of the past'.
President Jonathan, represented by the Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, extolled the 'excellent peacekeeping record' of the Nigerian military, saying that their exploits 'has brought great pride to our country'.
The Nigerian President's speech was delivered at the decoration of 45 Nigerian senior military officers to two-star ranks of Major General, Rear Admiral and Air Vice Marshal.
They include 22 Majors General, 19 Rear Admirals and 14 Air Vice Marshals.
Among the newly decorated officers were Rear Admirals Harry Ngonadi (Navy Secretary), Peter Agba (outgoing Director of Operations, Naval Headquarters), Henry Babalola (Chief Staff Officer, Eastern Naval Command), Director of Army Public Relations, Maj Gen Mobolaji Koleoso, the Air Contingent Commander of the Nigerian Contingent in Mali, Air Vice Marshal Tayo Oguntoyibo and Rear Admiral LON Iwuoha.
Also Friday, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, decorated the last batch of eight officers promoted to the flag rank of Air Commodore.
Air Marshal Badeh charged all personnel to 'be on top of situations. There should be no laxity. We are all security men. We are all intelligence officers.
'Boko Haram knows no religion. It knows no tribe. Let us keep our eyes wide open.'
Pana 20/01/2013