Ex-JTF commander, Ochoga urges youth to shun election violence

By Paul Efiong,Abuja

Major General Johnson Ochoga, (Rtd) and. former Commander Joint Task Force(JTF) under ‘Operation Pulo Shield’ in the Niger Delta, has joined his voices against election violence in the country urging youths to prepare their heart and vote only for credible leaders during the 2019 general elections.
Major Ochoga made the call when he received an award of ‘Noble Man of the Year’ from an a None Governmenetal Organization known as Noble Youth Mass Support Association (NYMSA) in Abuja yesterday.
Speaking further, during the event, Ochoga narrated how during his time as the JTF commander in the oil reach Niger Delta Region bunkering and pipeline vandalism was reduced to the barest minimum because of his expertise and technological know-how adding that till date successive commanders usually come to him for one advice or the other on how best to arrest such menace.
He also spoke on positive contributions that could be made by youths in peace building of the nation saying every Nigerian of voting age is a stakeholder in peace building and sustaining processes, especially during election periods adding that it was old-fashion for the electorate to focus on choosing leaders based on a political party, tribe, religion and gender without looking at the credibility of the candidates involves.
“Youths are said to be leaders of tomorrow, and I think that tomorrow is right here if they choose the right candidate’.
“It is time we change our orientation and see how governance should better the youths of the country and our society.
“We must not elect leaders based on religion, tribe or ethnicity but leaders with integrity and competence who have the people at heart.
“Before you vote for a candidate make sure you interact with the person and know what he has for the youths and not empty promises,” he said.