The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, urged Nigerians yesterday to refrain from the habit of cursing the nation and its leaders.
In a stern warning, Musa emphasized the significant impact of spoken words and their potential to cause harm.
Speaking at a one-day seminar titled “Civil-Military Relations: Non-kinetic Efforts of the Nigerian Military in Security Management, Challenges, and Prospects,” organized by the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) at the Army Resource Center in Abuja, Musa stressed the importance of optimism for national progress.
Chief of Defence Staff urged Nigerians to cultivate a positive outlook towards the nation’s future.
He said, “There must be a nation before you can even discuss it, and that is very critical. Sometimes, I find it very hard to understand when I hear Nigerians speaking evil about their country.
“We all know as Africans that there’s power in the word. What you say means a lot. We must learn how to be positive about our country. That’s the only way we can be productive.
“We have seen countries, most countries, it’s not like they don’t have issues, but they don’t put their own problems in the forefront like we do, and that is what is affecting us as individuals.
“So, it’s important that we must take ownership of our country. We must wish our country well and our leaders well. When they err, let us call them to question and proffer solution.”
The defence chief further said: “It’s not just negative criticism. Every day, you are insulting; you are abusing. You are calling God to punish.
“No, you cannot kill your country because you feel it is just that you feel like that. You don’t grow a country with such attitude.
“There must be a nation before you can even discuss it, and that is very critical. Sometimes, I find it very hard to understand when I hear Nigerians speaking evil about their country.” Chief of Defence Staff said.