Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has assured the Nigerian Army of continuous support to its operational training activities and internal security duties in the state.
Ugwuanyi gave the assurance on Saturday while delivering an address at the 82 Division of Nigerian Army West African Social Activities (WASA) 2021, held at the Parade Ground of Abakpa Military Cantonment, Enugu.
He appreciated the unflinching support of the Nigerian Army in providing security and ensuring safety in the state.
According to him, the cordial and mutual relationship between Enugu State and the Nigerian Army has lasted for a very long time.
“Today, the state extends its warm felicitation to the Nigerian Army as it marks the end of another year through this WASA celebration.
“We are indeed delighted and we want to appreciate the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their sacrifice to our fatherland and by extension to Enugu State.
“Our administration will continue to support you in carrying out your duties in the state,” he said.
Earlier, Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, said that WASA is meant to showcase the rich cultures and traditions of diverse barrack communities of the Nigerian Army.
Lagbaja said that the event affords officers, soldiers as well as their families and friends an opportunity to interact in a conducive social atmosphere.
According to him, it also marks the end of a successful operational training year for the Nigerian Army.
The GOC said that in 2021, the Nigerian Army renovated soldiers’ accommodation at the cantonment as well as other cantonments and barracks under the Division’s Area of Responsibility that covers the five states in the South-East and Cross River.
He said that the Division carried out all its scheduled programmes and training operations on time in 2021 “with an outstanding success”.
“In 2021, through Exercise Golden Dawn, the Division and indeed the Nigerian Army was able to checkmate and contain activities of armed robbers, kidnappers, cultists and other forms of criminality in the Division’s Area of Responsibility.
“We thank the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, for his support to the Division and all its activities in 2021,” he said.
The event featured various ethnic cultural displays in dancing and cuisines as well as award to 17 outstanding soldiers from different formations that make up the Division.
There were a symbolic “beating of retreat” by the Division’s musical band and the lighting of bonfire by the governor.
The event was attended by heads of military and para-military formations within the state as well as top state government functionaries.