STOP THE CAMPAIGN OF CALUMNY AGAINST MAJOR-GENERAL EREMA AKEREJOLA : SAHARA REPORTERS CALLED TO ORDER
The attention of the Civil Societies Organizations, in Ogori-Magongo LGA, Kogi State has been drawn to the campaign of calumny in the media against Major- General Erema Akerejola, the Commander Corps of Supply and Transport and by extension a deliberate attempt to tarnish the reputation and image of the Nigerian army.
Of recent, there were allegations that the Army General had allegedly acquired millions of dollars property in the United States, against the laid down procedure and surreptitiously maligning him for been responsible for the poor welfare and obsolete equipment that confronted the army
The fact remain that the Major-General Erema Akerejola, as a topmost and respected member of the Nigerian Armed Forces,is in the know and very conversant with the ethics and core values of the Nigerian Army would not do anything to denigrate the institution or damage his much cherished principle of probity, accountability,empathy and sense of nationalism, which had been his lifelong aspirations and pursuit.
No doubt, the Akerejolas owned a property located in the United States of America.The question of acquisition of such property will follow a logic of acquisition in phases,as outright purchase of property in such a clime would had also attracted keener focus and outright investigation by the right agency as to the source of such funding in view of the global effort to track illicit funding used in the perpetration and sustain terrorism finance, especially from a military concern.
The acquisition of such a property followed due diligence and was a product of genuine and transparent purchase through Mrs Motunrayo Eunice Akerejola’s monthly mortgage which she is entitled to, having lived and worked in the United States for close to two decades working in corporate America.
There are several other Nigerians in such a situation whose spouses resides in the United States, whence the fund gotten by their honest living had been invested in real estate and other diverse business portfolio, without any element of mischief or blackmail, why then would the case of the Akerejolas be any different
The Chief of Logistics in the Nigerian army is no doubt a respected and responsible position, which is attained by respected, diligent and hardworking Nigerian, through years of meritorious service to his fatherland.
It was a position which Major-General Erema Akerejola was appointed in June 2023.
The responsibility and duties of such position is spelt out and the accounting system of the Nigerian Army is robust and transparent to warrant any element of corruption to take public funds in millions of dollars to acquire property in the United States, much more which had been acquired over a decade, as been assumed in the present situation.
Major-General Erema Akerejola has a respected pedigree, with record of probity and integrity and would not do anything to drag his name and reputation in the mud.
In 2021, Akerejola was moved from Army headquarters Department of Logistics to the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport,Benin,Edo State as commandant before he was redeploy back to headquarters as commander Corps of Supply and Transport as Chief Logistics Officer, with a record of excellent military professionalism and in personal life.
He is a fine officer with an unblemish and distinguishing record of service to his fatherland.
We regret the increase case of media sensationalism that sought to destroy the integrity and reputation of the respected public officer without resort to fact-checking and yet spinning out baseless allegations.
We regret the deliberate attempt to undermine the image of the Nigerian Army and their conscious effort to positively impact the territorial integrity of the nation and their efforts to continue to strive to justify the confidence and trust of Nigerians in the professionalism of the Nigerian army
We call on Nigerians to reject the spurious allegations against Major – General Erema Akerejola and tow the real truth of the unfolding matter.
We have strong confidence in the auditing and accountability of the Nigerian Army and their continuous strive to promote effective and efficient utilization of funds and resources of the tax payers.
We call on all Nigerians to continue to support the military as they carry out their onerous responsibility in defending the territorial integrity of our dear nation.
We must continue to work to boost the morale of our patriotic military so as to continue to enhance their combat readiness and warrior ethos so as to also have a secure and stable nation.
We commend the federal government’s renew commitment to enhance the wellness of the Nigerian military,by the provision of More equipment, manpower and accomodations, that will go a long way to enhance their operational efficiency and the ongoing war against insecurity in the country.
Thanks and God bless.
*MR. MOSES ADEDEJI
Convener/Chairman
Civil Societies Organizations (CSO), Ogori Magongo LGA,
Kogi State, Nigeria.
Tel: 08030415288*
