The Nigerian Army has stated that the various military exercises it is conducting across the country were deliberately activated to ensure criminal elements don’t have a field day during the Yuletide.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai stated this while declaring open a two-day Civil-Media-Military-Relations Summit For South East Zone at the Headquarters 82 Division Auditorium, Abakaliki Road, Enugu.
The summit is in support of Nigerian Army operations and Exercises, Exercise Atilogwu Udo 1 in 82 division area of responsibility
A lecture titled: The Military, Media, Peace and National Development: Ex Atilogwu Udo 1 in Perspective was delivered by Prof Sunny Udeze, Dean Post Graduate School, Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
The COAS represented by the Chief of Training and Operations Army, Major General Enobong Udoh said, “The exercises are part of routine activities scheduled in Nigerian Army activities at this time of the year.
“The period carefully chosen to coincide with yuletide season when there s upsurge in criminal activities.
“The perpetration of the exercises offers opportunities to the troops to deal with perpetrators in real time and get in touch with communities through outreaches like sanitation, health and others to win their hearts to the support of the exercises.
“Our brothers, the Ndigbo in diaspora dread coming home during the Yuletide because some are kidnapped and huge ransoms paid before they are released,” he said.
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He said that the summit is being held in line with my desire of the Army to keep the public informed on appreciation of Nigerian Army exercises conducted in the country especially in the South East Zone.
“It is my hope that the media will continue to properly inform the public as it relates to our routine exercises across the country which are currently going on simultaneously.
“It could be recalled that during third edition of Python Dance 3, when some were against it, many came and supported it because it allowed those in diaspora come home and celebrate festivities in peace.
“I am aware that there is a team of seasoned public relations practitioners who would deliver lectures at this summit,” he added.
He thanked the Enugu State Governor, Rt. Honourable Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the acting GOC 82 Division and Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa for making the summit possible.
“I urge you to feel free to offer ideas that would improve our roles. Feel free to offer suggestions and ideas,” he urged
Present at the workshop were the representative of Enugu State Government, top traditional rulers from the south east, Para military personnel, popular actors and leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) from all South East and Cross River State, Nollywood actors, Chief Pete Edochie (MON) Chief Chika Okpala (Zebrudaya).
Also spotted were GOC 82 Division Nigerian Army, Brigadier General L.O. Adegboye, HRH Dr. Enyioha Wanzoku of Ohafia, Igwe Barrister Raphael S.N. Eze, HRH Igwe Dr. Simon Osisi Itodo Grand Patron Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council and Professor S. Ukpabi former provost NDA, Kaduna and traditional ruler in Enugu State.
Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Ground Training Commander, represented by Air Commodore E.O. Oyibo was also present and stakeholders spotted were religious leaders.
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