Mark urges retired military officers to join politics

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI
ABUJA—Senate President, David Mark, has called on retired military
officers to stop shying away from participating in active politics in
the country.
According to him, it is only by so doing that they can bring about
change in the lives of Nigerians.
Speaking at a re-union dinner organised by Course 18th alumni of
Nigerian Defence Academy in Abuja weekend, the Senate President said
rather than sit on the fence and lamentcertain occurrences in the
land, they should come on board and help bring about the needed
change.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Brigadier
General BB Teteh (rtd), Mark noted that with their experience in the
academy and the armed forces, the officers, including generals, air
vice marshals and rear admirals, were more than qualified to seek
elective positions.
He said this would enable them bring their wealth of experience to the
political scene and make the scene more proactive as well as bring
about sanity, since the armed forces was noted for discipline and
organisation.
His words: "You should be interested in the political happenings in
the country because there are many thingsthat needs to be changed and
you cannot change these things if you are out of politics. So you
should get involved."
Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General AzubuikeIhejirika, expressed joy that
his colleagues who joined the force in 1975 had been able to gather to
reminisce about the old days and fashion out how to contribute to the
nation's development.
Ihejirika said: "I am happy and overwhelmed that this event is
holding. It is good to meet those that sincerely love you, that you
sincerely love; not just those that come close to you because of your
position".
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammed Sa'ad Abubakar, who is a member
of the 18th regular course, said the re-union should consider forming
an NGO, adding that if the endowment was launched, he would play a
very vital role.
According to him, the funds would be used to assist the needy among
members of course 18 as well as the less privileged in the society.
President of Course 18, Air CommodoreFemi Oguntuyi (rtd), recalled
that 150 of them started as cadets in NDA in 1975 but noted that
today, only 71 were alive.
He said they were proud of the performance of one of their own and
Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General AzubuikeIhejirika.