By Stephen Adeleye.
The Nigerian Army (NA) has enlightened students in Kogi on the career opportunities available to them in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The event, tagged: “Public Speaking Engagement” was sponsored by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. -Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, as part of activities to mark the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2024.
Speaking on behalf of the COAS on Tuesday, at GYB Model Science Secondary School, Adankolo, Lokoja, the Commander 12 Brigade (Bde) NA, Brig. -Gen Haruna Dasuki, said NADCEL was an annual event to mark the establishment of NA in 1863.
According to him, every July 6 symbolises the day in the Nigerian Civil War when the first shot was fired in NA quest to keep the nation united.
He noted that the NADCEL 2024 with the theme: “Transforming the Nigerian Army Imperative for Combating Contemporary Security Challenges within a Joint” was to mark the 161 years of varied challenges as one of the greatest Armies in the world with an eventful history.
The Commander who was represented the Team Leader, Lt. Col. Buda Magaji, noted that the NA had made significant contributions to national development and progress in several areas such as security, education, engineering, health, science, sports, among others.
“It is due to these accomplishments that the NA always seizes opportunity presented by the period to culminating into July 6 to celebrate and give glory to God.
“As part of activities lined for the NADCEL 2024 is the public speaking engagement visit to selected secondary schools across the country, sponsored by the COAS.
“The NADCEL aims to showcase the Army as an instrument of national unity, integration, development as well as highlight the achievements, capabilities and enduring reputation to the NA.
“Therefore, the public speaking engagement visit to schools is to enlighten students on the career opportunities open to them in the Nigerian Army,” he said.
The commander promised the commitment that the NA under the leadership of Lt. -Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, to continue to conduct kinetic and non-kinetic operations that would ensure the quick resolution of the country’s security challenges.
In his presentation, Maj. Musa Izang, the 12 Bde Education Officer, enlightened the students on the history, activities, prospects and opportunities available to them in NA.
Izang stressed the need for the students to be patriotic citizens by promoting unity, love, devotion, loyalty and sense of attachment to Nigeria, urging them to avoid cultism, drug abuse, ethnicity and tribal sentiment.
He advised the students to learn to see each others as brothers and sisters irrespective of ethnicity, background and religion, stressing the need to avoid criminal company and every act of criminality.
In his vote of thanks, the school Principal, Chief Godwins Yakubu, commended the NA for their civility, and thanked the COAS and the Commander for choosing GYB model school for the enlightenment program as well donation of writing materials to students.
Yakubu emphasised that the enlightenment program on patriotism, discipline and career opportunities would go a long way to complement the school’s efforts in raising patriotic citizens for Nigeria.
The principal commended Kogi State Government for its massive investment in education especially the infrastructure development at the GYB school as a model in the state and Nigeria at large.
Some of the students, Favour Gabriel and Haliru Abdulsamad, both expressed their gratitude to the NA, for enlightening them on core values to become patriotic citizens.
The highlights of event were the display of a video documentary on the history and activities of the NA, presentation of souvenir to staff and distribution of writing materials to students.
