A public affairs commentator, Reno Omokri, has kicked against the compulsory retirement of military generals whenever junior officers emerge as service chiefs, urging President Bola Tinubu to stop the act.
According to him, Nigeria loses these senior military officers after millions of dollars had been expended in training them.
He described the practice as a complete waste of money and human resources.
“Nigeria spends tens of millions of dollars training military generals only to retire them when their juniors are appointed service chiefs. That is just a complete waste of money and human resources. Why?” he questioned.
In a tweet on Saturday, Omokri recalled that “General Domkat Bali was senior to General Babangida, but he served under him. Meritoriously. I might add. Brigadier Babafemi Ogundipe served under Lt. Colonel Gowon. Even more meritoriously.”
He opined that the practice was why the nation’s military has been weak to combat terrorists.
“No wonder our military is so weakened, to the extent that terrorists and bandits are flexing their muscles and taxing Nigerians while generally making life miserable for many of our citizens. Why not? When we keep purging our military of our most senior, trained, and learned officers,” he stressed.
In his request, Omokri emphasised that “President Tinubu is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces (for now) and should consider using that office and its power to put an end to this practice for the overall health of our military.”
According to tradition, it is expected that about 100 top military officers of the Nigerian Army, Air Force, and Navy may proceed on compulsory retirement following the appointment of new service chiefs by President Tinubu.
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