Participants of National Defence College Visit 3 Division and Operation Safe Haven

Participants of National Defence College Visit 3 Division and Operation Safe Haven

The participants of the National Defence College Course 33 visited Plateau State from 3 – 9 November 2024 as part of their National Tour of States within the country. The team led by the College Provost, Professor AO Ahmed, arrived at Maxwell Khobe Cantonment on Monday 4 November 2024, along with 4 Members of Faculty and 22 participants including allied participants from Burkina Faso, Gambia, India, Tanzania and Zimbabwe as well as participants from the Nigeria Police Force, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Plateau State Government. On arrival, the team was received and given an operations brief at 3 Division’s Auditorium.

In his welcome address, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander (Comd) Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH), Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar expressed his delight to receive the delegation and urged them to feel at home and enjoy the refreshing weather, culture and hospitality of the State. The GOC noted that the state was relatively peaceful and OPSH has sustained both its kinetic and non-kinetic efforts to sustain the peace and so far, the efforts have yielded positive outcomes. Major General Abubakar further stated, “The operation is people-centric and novel ideas had to be introduced constantly in resolving emerging conflict.”

The team was thereafter given an operations brief highlighting the history, the challenges as well as the milestones of OPSH so far.

In his remarks, the Team Leader, Professor AO Ahmed thanked the GOC/Comd OPSH for the warm reception and provision of security for the team throughout their stay in the state. He acknowledged the tremendous efforts of the GOC in the sustenance of peace on the Plateau. The team leader further stated that “the military holds a special place in my heart and will cherish the moments I spent with the military.”

Delivering the vote of thanks on behalf of the team, Group Captain EF Enebi appreciated the GOC for his words of wisdom and encouragement to participants. He also commended the GOC for the operations brief; assuring the GOC that the knowledge acquired will be put to good use in the college. Earlier in the day, the delegation visited the Executive Governor of Plateau State and the Gbong Gwom Jos, Barrister Caleb Manase Muftwang and His Royal Majesty, Da Dr Jacob Buba Gyang respectively.

The high points of the event included the presentation of souvenirs, group photographs and the signing of the visitor’s book.