Buratai Salutes Nigerian Army for Subordination to Contituted Civil-Military Authorities/Rule of Law; Says No Nigerian Culture Accepts Kidnapping, Banditry, Terrorism; Hails Lagbaja for maintaining high standard of discipline in Army

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai has saluted the Nigerian Army for playing its constitutional roles of surbodination to constituted civil military authority and ensuring adherence to the rule of law.

This is just as he condemned the recent spate of kidnapping and banditry in several parts of the country noting that no Nigerian culture has been known to accept kidnapping, banditry and terrorism.

The former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin and the ‘Ba’akore of Akure Kingdom’, made the disclosure at the Army Headquarters West African Social Activities (WASA) for 2023 held at the Mogsdishu Cantonment, Abuja on Saturday.

He said, “Nigerian Army today seems to have playrd all roles in obedience to the civil-military authority at any time in the civil life of our dear nation. With respect to the rule of law and subordination to civil authority, I am glad that the Nigerian Army has recorded enormous achievements in it’s efforts to keep the country safe.

He declared that the “celebration of WASA in the recognition of our cultural diversity and its richness by the Nigerian military has allowed the institution to stand tall over the years and to succeed in promoting unity and corporate existence of the Country.

Emphasizing that, “No Nigerian culture accepts banditry, kidnapping or terrorism, Buratai appealed to youth to imbibe the culture of hard work, respect for elders and adherence to peaceful communal living”

He advised that the cultural heritage of farming, and fishing must be encouraged in the society to tackle unemployment.

Furthermore he said, “As we celebrate the Nigerian Army’s achievement over the past one year in 2023, we are also mindful of the socio-economic and security challenges in the country. As the Nigerian Army strive to tackle the insecurity in the country, both kinetic and non-kinetic, we must use culture and tradition to promote national security and national unity.

He acknowledged President Tinubu for being attentive to the welfare of the men and women of the armed forces and their families, urging personnel to continue to do their best to uphold the tenets and be alive to their constitutional responsibility

Gen Buratai also commended be Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja for his professional leadership of the Nigerian army saying Lt General Lagbja has maintained a very high standard of discipline, operational efficiency, and administrative consistency in handling the welfare of the troops and their personnel.

He commended the gallant officers and soldiers of the Nigerian army, urging them to maintain a high standard of professionalism in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s vision.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja who was the chief host of the WASA in his remarkd said it is a cultural event deeply rooted in the Nigerian Army’s history, noting that the event provides Nigerian army personnel, their families and loved ones a conducive environment to celebrate the end of training and operation year and beginning of another.

“Considering the fact that the year 2023 was a busy and tasking one for our personnel and that year 2024 as not been any easier in terms of operational commitments, it is only proper that our personnel be provided an opportunity to unwind.” he said

The COAS reiterated the benefits of organizing WASA insisting that it has sustained unity in diversity across barracks and cantonments.

“It has fostered education and acceptability of culture which ordinary would be known only to some parts of the country and this make the troops to be aware of cultural sensitivities and uniqueness, as they plan and execute operations across the geopolitical zones of the country”.

“It is worth noting that the Nigerian Army in conjunction with the sister services and other security agencies as worked assiduously yo ensure that all threats to out national security are contained”, Gen Lagbaja stressed

The 2023 WASA had all the Commands, Units, and Departments, like Army Headquarters Space Command, Army Headquarters Department of Military Secretary, Army Heritage and Future Centre, Army Headquarters DASE, Army Headquarters Department of Army Training, Office of the COAS, Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Nigerian Army Aviation, Nigeruan Army Intelligence Corp, and Directorate of Public Relations Army Headquarters among others

The Mogadishu Cantonment barrack parade ground was filled with military families of the men and women of the Nigerian Army to mark this year’s West African Social Activity WASA.

The 2023 West African Social Activity (WASA) had in attendance, about 10,000 personnel of the Nigerian Army with officers integrated across ranks and civilians to usher in the New Year in a convivial atmosphere of fun and competition.

The origin of the event is dated back to the days of the African Frontier Force, during the Second World War. It is recorded that it all started when enlisted persons with traditional or customary heritage cultivated the habit of offering sacrifices to their gods and ancestors at the end of harvest and at the beginning of every planting season. The records also hold that it was done for bounty harvest, peace and progress in the New Year.

The occasion came to an end with the lighting of the bonfire from a stark of woods that blaze its flames to the sky.

Team Army Headquarters Garrison and Army headquarters defeated both the Nigeria Police Force and NSCDC as they became Champion of the 2023 WASA Thug of War Competition.