Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed has charged the Nigerian Army to remain focused and resilient as well as avoid all forms of distractions that are capable of tarnishing its integrity and image as another training year of 2025 commences.
The Governor made the charge as a Special Guest of honour during the 2024 West African Social Activity (WASA) of the 33 Artillery Brigade, Bauchi over the weekend.
According to the Governor, such distractions are capable of affecting the ability of the personnel to discharge their duties professionally and in line with the global best practices.
“This is particularly important, especially now that the Nigerian Army is engaged in so many internal operations in support to Civil authorities”, he said.
The Governor also commended the Officers and Men of the 33 Artillery Brigade, Shadawanka for their discipline and dedication to duty during the year, 2024.
Bala Mohammed who was represented by his Chief Security Adviser, Retired Assistant Inspector General (AIG), Ahmad Abdulrahman, expressed satisfaction with the cultural display staged by various troupes during the event.
Bala Mohammed who congratulated the Army for the successful conduct of the 2024 training activities, said that the cultural display shows that the Army personnel have not broken the links with their cultural background.
The Governor added “I am therefore convinced that the gathering today has been worthwhile in line with the WASA which is to promote cultural harmony, team spirit and tolerance among military personnel.
“As the fight against bandits, insurgents and other forms of criminality continues, I urged Officers and Men of the Nigerian Army to remain steadfast in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.”
In his address earlier, Commander, 33 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General E. Egbe, reminded Officers and Soldiers of patriotism to their fatherland as the fight against bandits, and insurgents continues.
Emmanuel Egbe who said that WASA serves as a platform for relaxation after a rigorous year of military engagements, noted: “For my soldiers, remained good soldiers and patriots to our fatherland. The fight against bandits, insurgents continues”.
The Brigade Commander also explained that WASA, an annual event, avails the opportunity for Officers and Men to showcase the beauty of their various cultures.
He added that the 2024 event was organized in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s philosophy of consolidating the transformation of the Nigerian Army towards bequeathing a well-motivated and combat-ready force that can effectively discharge its constitutional responsibility within a joint and multi-agency environment.
The Commander while stressing that WASA organized for troops to unwind and after that to be combat-ready, thanked the Chief of Army Staff for authorizing the necessary funds for the WASA to hold.
He appreciated Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state for his unwavering support to the military and the barracks Community, emphasizing that the Governor has so much supported them and the entire security architecture in Bauchi state.
“I also appreciate the good people of Bauchi state who resist all forms of criminality. I also want to thank my Officers and Soldiers for all the support leading to all the successes we have recorded,” he said.
He also appreciated the host communities for their resistance to all forms of criminality during the year under review.
West African Social Activity (WASA) is a yearly event in the Nigerian Army that celebrates the country’s cultural heritage.
The British started WASA in 1946 to honour officers who fought in World War II, thereafter, the tradition was incorporated into the Nigerian Army’s year-round activities after the country gained independence in 1960.
The 2024 event featured cultural displays by various ethnic groups, a display of thug of war by Barracks Women and Female National Youths Service Corps members, Soldiers from the 33 Brigade and Nigeria Airforce.
The event was wrapped up with burn fire signifying the end of the 2024 rigorous year of military engagements.
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