ABC Secretariat lectures soldiers at Bengumah
In a bid to effect President Ernest Bai Koroma’s Agenda for Change, the Attitudinal and Behavioural Change (ABC) Secretariat on Wednesday February 15th 2012 empowered cadet officers at the Armed Forces Training Centre (AFTC), Bengumah with sensitizing lectures. (Photo: ABC Executive Director addressing the soldiers)
The lecture which marked ABC Secretariat’s second visit at AFTC touched on relevant issues of how putting on positive Attitudes and Behaviours can help the soldiers to rebrand the image of the regimental Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF).
In his presentation the Executive Director of ABC Secretariat, Dr. Ivan Ajibola Thomas cautioned the officers to be professional in executing their duties on the grounds that, the nation’s territorial integrity depends on them. He maintained that due to negative attitudes and behaviours that were professed by certain military officers the military earned a dented image. This mishap Dr. Ivan Ajibola Thomas said did not augur well for national development since defenceless citizens viewed the military as their enemies rather than legitimate protectors.
He advised the officers to understand that in contemporary democracy soldiers have no right to interfere into politics. Their role he maintained is to ensure that the state is properly secured in order for the citizens to live peacefully.
Soldiers listening to the lectures
Dr. Ivan Ajibola Thomas underscored the importance of the military to national development. Apart from state security Dr. Thomas advanced that a well mannered military can boost the image of the country at international fora.
He advised the officers to be law abiding, principled and patriotic. The Army he pointed out is a noble institution and assured those present that by properly utilizing their positions as military officers they can eminently contribute to national development.
The Executive Director of ABC Secretariat encouraged the officers to be challenging and focused. Dr. Thomas said at whatever level they should endeavour to build on their education standards. By this he assured the officers cannot only gain promotions but will be advantaged to perform their duties effectively and efficiently.
Madam Nanette Thomas, ABC National Coordinator and Second-in-Command takes the podium
Lecturing on the theme ‘The importance of Positive Attitudes and Behaviours to Military Output’ the National Coordinator and Second–in-command of ABC Secretariat, Madam Nanette Thomas enticed the drop of negative attitudes and behaviours that are militating against the reputation of RSLAF. According to her by having a positive mind-set the soldiers can put up remarkable performances. She lamented over how bad manners and deeds exercised by certain officers keep tainting the image of the military. She however commended the RSLAF for its current participation in foreign peace keeping missions, internal security and lead in campaign against the spread of HIV/AIDs. She disclosed that those commendable roles should be watered down by the negative attitudes and behaviour of indiscipline officers.
Madam Thomas warned against the use of prohibited drugs, misuse of military assets, sexual harassment, unpatriotism, campism, disregard for authorities, harassment of civilians and other misconducts among military officers.
Most of these awful conducts Madam Nanette Thomas claimed are been put up by certain soldiers at the detriment of RSLAF because of failing to manage their finances, relationships, environments, spiritualities and health as well.
ABC Secretariat, military officers, and the press
Thus the National Coordinator and Second-in-Command of ABC Secretariat urged them to start managing these aspects Finances, Relationships Environments, spiritualities and health of their personal lives expediently in order for them to be able to always put up positive attitudes and behaviours. Responding to the achievements of the current ABC Executives Madam Thomas highlighted their role they have played in reversing negative trends in the traffic conditions, street trading, political violence and degrading educational standards among others. She disclosed that these laudable achievements have been attained through sensitization exercises at community and institutional levels. This sensitization exercise Madam Thomas concluded will continue until the desired goal of President Ernest Bai Koroma’s Agenda-for-Change is attained.
By Momoja Lappia
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