Nigerian Army Celebrate 2018 End Of Year West Africa Social Activities

Nigerian Army Celebrate 2018 End Of Year West Africa Social Activities

2 Division Nigerian Army on January 19, 2019 celebrate her 2018 end of year West African Social Activities, popularly reffered to by its acronym, WASA, when officers and men of the Division shed their uniforms for traditional outfits to celebrate the event.

The event was held at Major General John Inienger Stadium at Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The colourful event had military officers and men gathered according to their ethnic groups wearing traditional outfits peculiar to their cultures. The military was not left alone to savour the traditional displays put up by groups from diverse cultures and backgrounds which Nigeria is blessed with and represented in the Nigerian Army.

In his remarks at the ceremony the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Okwudili Fedelis Azinta said the event was held to mark the end of 2018 training year.

The GOC described WASA as an age-long heritage which is aimed at preserving Nigerian Army’s ethics and tradition through social interaction among personnel, their families and well wishers.

“The event also seeks to promote comradeship and foster unity among personnel as one large family,” he added, promising visitors the display of rich and diverse culture and tradition of Nigeria as practised by different ethnic groups.

According to the GOC, “Regular review of our performance is crucial to realising the vision of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, which is ‘to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional roles”

He disclosed that the Division would continue to confront the contemporary challenges currently being experienced in the nation, particularly terrorism and insurgency, armed robbery, illegal oil bunkering, pipelines vandalism, cultism and kidnapping. He also stated that ” 2 Division will continue to sustain and improve on the existing cordial Civil-Military relationship and continue to observe human rights in accordance with the best international practices and uphold, respect and defend the constitution of the country”

The Oyo State Governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, said his happy to celebrate with the men of 2 Division Nigerian Army who has always demonstrates the oneness of Nigeria through this social activities.

Also at the event, a cash prize of N100,000, a bag of rice, oil, yard of clothes was given to 88 widows and 4 orphans each in units within Ibadan, Oyo State.

The cultural group from Idoma tribe, Benue State, won the first prize with N50,000 cash for being the best group that displayed its traditional dance steps. The second prize with N35,000 cash went to the Igbo cultural group while the third prize with N25,000 cash was won by the group from Akwa Ibom State.

We have the rare privilege to have in attendance His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, His Imperial Majesty did not only gave his fatherly blessing to officers, Men and their families at the occasion, his presence added much colour to the ceremony.

Also in attendance were, The Executive Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi ably represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, the special guest of honour, Maj Gen Abdulahi Iyande Muraina Rtd, amongst others