It was celebration of life galore, prayers for God’s guidance, safe survival of the last huddle of two years, and rallying together to cater for families of their colleagues who had paid the supreme sacrifice in the service to their fatherland, that enveloped the AS Badeh Gardens, of the WOs and SGTs Mess, of the Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja on Saturday, 20th February 2021.
The occasion was the celebration of 32 years anniversary of meritorious service of 27th Combatant Intake of the Nigerian Army.
For a group of young men who were chosen from the then 19 States of the federation, including the FCT in the year 1988 and reported at Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria under the tutelage of the no nonsense but now late Major General Musa Bamaiyi, as Commandant, there is every reason to celebrate life, give honour and adoration to God as well as give kudos to their wives and families who have stood by them all these years especially with prayers.
Because when you look back and recall that from the onset in 1988, 3,000 soldiers started the journey and today, about 30 of them are no more, through death in battlefields, and other work related incidents, the surviving men of 27 Regular Intake of the Nigerian Army are presently one big family.
Chairman of the Abuja Chapter of the 27 Regular Intake Association, Master Warrant Officer Jodah Unaru in his welcome address captured the essence of the occasion saying, “32 years is not 32 days. We that are alive, is by the grace of God. Many of our members have paid the supreme price.
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He continued, “I am so happy because the bond between us is one of great unity and I have never seen any intake that is as United as 27 regular intake. We should remain so. We have been favoured by God. Some of us have been favoured and commissioned by the Nigerian Army. We have every reason to celebrate life and thank God again and again”.
One of the highlights of the occasion was the presentation of bags of rice to two widows of colleagues of 27 intake whose husband’s paid the supreme price in the oause of service to the fatherland.
Earlier, members of 27 Regular Intake had paid visits to and donated food items to a Ophanage home in Abuja as part of activities to mark the 32 years.
At the celebration proper at the AS Badeh Gardens, one must not forget to acknowledge the yeoman’s role played by the Patron of the 27 Regular Intake, in the revered personage of MWO Wasiu Azeez .
While standing in for the Grand Patron of the 27 Intake, Mr. Ponkap Zwalda, MWO Azeez unveiled the 2021 Calenders of the Intake and actively supported the families of the late members who have paid the supreme price.
Before the cutting of the anniversary cake, sovenirs were presented to distinguished members of the intake for their various support for the 27 intake and they include 5 Colonels and Let. Colonels, a banker and a General Manager of flourishing organization.
Master Warrant Officer, Joseph Ode, the Chairman, Anniversary Committee in his vote of thanks commended the oneness of purpose and support of all the members of 27 Regular intake including members in other states of the federation and theatres of conflict and prayed that God will keep all of them alive to witness the next celebration.
