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The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has pledged to support the youths and wards of Nigerian army personnel in barracks to ensure that they acquire skills that would make them self reliant.
Yahaya made the promise during the graduation of Undergraduate Trainees of Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) Youth Development Project on Thursday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that a total of 234 barracks youths who are undergraduates in different universities were trained in Information Technology (InfoTech) by NAOWA.
NAN recalls that the NAOWA had on Oct. 4 inaugurated a six-week intensive training in Infotech to cushion the effect of the eight-month strike by university lecturers.
The COAS promised to support all the training programmes of NAOWA aimed at empowering barrack youths with a view to giving them a better future.
He commended NAOWA president for the initiative to train the undergraduate children of army personnel, adding that the wellbeing of the barrack youths was key to the development of the Nigerian army.
He said the next batch of the training would engage school leavers and certificate holders, as well as the out of school children, wards and youth in the barracks.
According to him, the programme is very important and should be continuous to include not only those in school, but even those who are not in school provided they are children and wards of the personnel.
He expressed happiness that the programme had shown that there were talented and intelligent youths in the barrack community.
“That is why I want to encourage the trainees not to relent on the training they have had and these five weeks would have told them that if you are committed and determined you can do anything and you can achieve results.
“You see all the recipients, you see their background, you see their parentage.
So if they concentrate and remain committed and dedicated they can excel and be all they want to be.
“With innovation and creativity, you can be your own employer and you don’t necessarily need to add to the long queue of unemployed.
“I want to assure you all that resources will be provided and you will be supported on any initiative that will empower, train and educate our youth in the barracks.
“When you empower the youths, you are supporting the military,” he said.
Yahaya challenged the youths to be of good character and positive representation of the military community in their areas of endaevour.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The 243 Recce Battalion Barracks Ibereko, Badagry, Lagos State on Tuesday decorated 51 newly promoted soldiers from the rank of private to Warrant Officers.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that three soldiers were promoted from the rank of Private to Lance Corporal while 27 were promoted from Lance Corporal to Corporal.
NAN also reports that 11 soldiers were promoted from Corporal to Sergeants, seven from Sergeants to Staff Sergeants while three Staff Sergeants were promoted to Warrant Officers.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Commanding Officer, Col. Mohammed Abba urged the newly promoted officers to adhere strictly to professional ethos of the military.
“A lot has been said to you today, but my prayer is that God who has made it possible for you to hang these ranks also guide you so that you will not engage in jobs that will spoil everything.
“For those waiting for their promotion in 2023, please ask the newly promoted soldiers what they did because it is always critical.
“Please, ask them what they have done, do what they have done and by His grace, you will get yours next year,” he said.
Abba commended the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya and the General Officer Commanding 81 Division Nigerian Army for promoting the deserving soldiers.
Also speaking, Warrant Officer Taniwu Umar (rtd) urged the newly promoted soldiers to take their promotion as additional responsibilities.
According to him, the promotion is a message for all soldiers not to “rush, collect and sit down”, but an “additional task and responsibility to the army and your families as well”.
Also, Warrant Officer Yusuf Umar (rtd) said that those promoted should be more diligent, work harder and persevere in the tasks ahead.
Newly promoted Cpl Mary Annas, thanked the COAS for the promotion and pledged unalloyed loyalty and commitment to the Nigerian Army.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Nigerian Army has advised officers and soldiers to uphold professionalism and ethical conduct in dealing with civilians during the 2023 general elections.
The Commandant, Army War College Nigeria (AWCN), Maj.-Gen. Bamidele Alabi, made the call at the opening of a sensitisation workshop organised by Army Headquarters Garrison on Wednesday in Abuja.
The workshop was tagged `Upholding the Traditional Ethics of the Nigerian Army and Promoting Professionalism and Social Responsibility of the Nigerian Soldiers’.
“We are all aware that the attention of the international community will focus on our dear country Nigeria during the elections next year, and particular attention is always paid to the roles we play during the elections.
“So far, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, particularly the army which is most visible during such elections has lived above board.
“And in order to maintain and even improve on this record, all hands must be on deck to ensure that we remain apolitical and discharge our roles professionally during the elections.
“In this regards, the COAS has already signed the Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement for Nigerian Army personnel during Operation Safe Conduct 2023 which has been distributed to all formations and units.
“This shows the importance the COAS appends to our conduct during the forthcoming elections,” he said.
Alabi said the workshop was designed to educate troops on how to conduct themselves professionally during international and internal operations.
He added that troops were also been sensitised on the sanctity of both local and humanitarian laws, social media policies and imperatives of protecting civilians during all operations.
The commandant also said that the workshop would focus on the social responsibilities of Army personnel at all times.
Alabi urged the participants to ensure that they take valuable lessons back to their units and sub-units with a view to improve professional conduct in their various formations.
The Commander, AHQ Garrison, Maj.-Gen. Kabir Garba, said the workshop was organised to enlighten personnel on some rudiments of regimentation, to enhance professionalism.
Garba said it would also develop and improve the core competencies of personnel, as well as enlighten them on socio-economic vices within their operating environment.
The commander, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Brig.-Gen. Jefferson Feboke, said key focus of the workshop was to drill in personnel the need to be disciplined during operations.
This, he said, was necessary in order to protect and preserve the cherished image of the Nigerian army in an increasingly complex operating environment.
Garba thanked the COAS for approving and providing the needed resources to conduct the workshop.
He said the participating officers and soldiers were drawn from across all the AHQ departments and formations within Abuja.
Topics to be discussed include Professionalism and effective collaboration among security agencies; Core values of the NA; Ethics in relation to the military profession and Enhancing professionalism in the NA.
Others include Sexual Exploitation and Mainstreaming, among others.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Mrs Favour Orukpe, the widow of Insp. Monday Orukpe, allegedly killed by some soldiers in Lagos, says her husband has not been buried due to delay in the Nigerian Army’s investigation report.
Orukpe told the News Agency of Nigeria that the non-availability of autopsy report carried out by the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja, had also contributed to the delay.
She said that the corpse was taken to LASUTH about a month ago and the hospital promised that within two weeks, the result would be out.
Chief Medical Director of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, said he had carried out the autopsy.
“I have investigated.
The Autopsy has been carried out and the report will be given to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) on Friday,” he said
NAN reports that on Aug. 3, some soldiers from Ojo Military Cantonment, allegedly clashed with some policemen controlling traffic in the area.
Orukpe’s widow reiterated her demand for justice from the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and the Inspector-General of Police (I-GP).
She said that her husband died on duty while serving the nation, adding that the COAS and the I-GP should not allow his service to the nation go to waste.
“I want justice.
I want them to take care of my four children, because I can’t do it alone.
“I am sending this message to the COAS and I-GP because my husband died on duty assigned to him wearing his uniform,” she said.
The late Orukpe was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on May 1, 2002 and he rose to the rank of a Senior Inspector before his death.
The widow said that though the family was willing to do the burial, it had no money to carry it out.
She added that the family had also agreed with the police on where to bury her husband.
The Lagos police spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, however, said that the police were always responsible for the burial of their personnel.
He explained that paper work of the deceased by his family might have delayed such fund from being released.
Hundeyin said that the earlier the deceased family started processing the papers from the division to the command pension unit before moving to Force Headquarters Abuja for final approval, the better.
In his reaction, the Acting Deputy Director in charge of Public Relations at 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj. Olaniyi Osoba, said the joint committee of the Army and the police investigating the case was ongoing.
Osoba said that the investigating team had gone far and was probing all issues surrounding the incident, administratively.
He said the report would be out when the committee concluded its findings.
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NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Farouk Yahaya, on Saturday inaugurated some projects provided by the Army to Doka community in Kaduna North Local Government Area, Kaduna state.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the projects were provided to deepen military-civil relations.
The projects include six solar powered boreholes at Maiburji, Gaji, Shaba and Liman wards, all located in Doka district of Kaduna.
Other were renovated examination hall equipped with 500 chairs and desks at Nurul Islam Academy, and new sets of chairs and desks donated to Shehu Abdullahi Primary School, Ogbomosho road, Kaduna.
Yahaya, represented by the Commander Infantry Corps, Maj.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu, said the projects were provided in appreciation of the high level of cooperation and goodwill the Army enjoy from members of the community.
“In fact, it is on record that so many of your sons and daughters have contributed immensely to the development of not only the Nigerian Army, but the nation at large,” he said.
Yahaya added that the Nigerian Army has over the years taken deliberate steps to give back to the society as part of its corporate social responsibility.
He explained that the inaugurated projects were among several quick impact projects executed in various parts of the country by the Nigerian Army, as its contribution to national development.
“I believe this project will serve the collective needs of the members of this community and its immediate environs,” he said.
Yahaya, therefore, appealed to members of the community to see the project as a symbol of the friendship between them and the Nigerian Army.
He prayed that the intervention would foster peace, progress and prosperity to the community.
The COAS reiterated his vision of ensuring a professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish assigned missions within a joint environment in defence of Nigeria.
“In pursuance of this vision, I have ensured that we pay very close attention to the non-kinetic aspects of our operations.
“In this respect, there is need to ensure that senior officers of the Nigerian Army are connected to their various communities in order to enhance civil-military cooperation as well as win their hearts and minds in support of our operations.
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According to him, the special interventions projects reinforces the civil-military cooperation drive of the Nigerian Army geared towards bridging the communication gap between citizens and the Army.
“Nigerian Army has enjoyed tremendous support and cooperation of the good people of Kaduna State in surmounting the challenges of insecurity in the country,” Yahaya said.
He further said that the Nigerian Army, in conjunction with other security agencies, were working assiduously to rid the country of criminals and all forms of insecurity.
He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his continuous support to the Nigerian Army, and the Government of Kaduna State for it’s relentlessness in ensuring the wellbeing of it’s citizens.
Yahaya urged all Nigerians to live in peace and harmony, and be tolerant of one another.
Earlier, Maj.-Gen. Sulaiman Idris, Commander, Armoured Corps Nigerian Army, who initiated the projects, said they were executed with the support of the COAS.
Idris said that the aim was to give back to the community that nurtured him.
He explained that the school items were donated to enhance teaching and learning in view of the importance of education in any society.
“I felt it is necessary to provide water for my community hence the construction of the solar powered boreholes at Maiburuji, Gaji, Liman, and Shaba wards of Doka,” Idris added.
He thanked the COAS for his financial support and urged the community to reciprocate the gesture by maintaining the facilities.
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NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Ali, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division, Nigerian Army, has tasked tactical commanders on professionalism, interagency cooperation and adequate information sharing to curb Nigeria’s prevailing security challenges.
Ali gave the charge while declaring open a four-day capacity building training for the commanders at the headquarters of 6 Brigade, Nigeria Army in Jalingo.
The theme for the event is, “Capacity Building and Cooperation Approach: A key to Overcoming the Current Security Challenges Affecting the Nation.
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The GOC said that the training was necessitated by the prevailing security challenges in Nigeria, adding that every kind of insurgency had its peculiar challenges, depending on the environment.
Ali also said that the training of the tactical cadre was one of the pivot visions of Gen. Farouk Yahaya, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) in ensuring professionalism of the army in all its conducts.
“The Cadre is planned to enlighten you on your roles and responsibilities, especially in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
“The programme has been deliberately tailored to focus on interagency cooperation in a multi-joint environment, junior leadership skills, media operations, the Nigerian Army code of conduct and Rules of Engagement for the upcoming 2023 Elections,” he said.
The GOC said the training was also designed to enhance the capacity building of tactical-level officers in the contemporary internal security environment.
“As you can observe, this year’s theme was carefully crafted in line with the COAS’ vision for a professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish assigned mission within a joint environment in defence of Nigeria.
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“This theme took into cognisance the place of training in building a professional army that is the pride of any nation.
This is more so as the Nigerian Army is conducting joint operations on several fronts and theatres of operations.
” It is therefore imperative to continuously train to improve capacity in operational planning,” he said.
He also urged the commanders to renew their vigour towards curbing the daunting security challenges in the country.
“As the 2022 training cycle rolls towards the end, 3 Division is poised to pursue the full implementation of the Army Headquarters’ training directive for 2022.
“As we commence the Operations Planning Cadre for the Year 2022, let us not lose sight of the fact that the cadre is aimed at availing the participants the necessary capabilities and competencies that they require to successfully plan operations.
“It also provides the opportunity to promote synergy and cooperation with sister services and other security agencies,” he said.
“As you are all aware, the security challenges we face today are both real and daunting and therefore require renewed vigour by commanders at all levels.
“It is in realisation of this fact and in consonance with the COAS Vision that this operational planning cadre was organised by 3 Division,” the GOC said.
He urged the participants to apply themselves to all that they would be taught by tapping from the resource persons’ wealth of knowledge and experiences ,to educate their troops and apply the same in the field.
The GOC expressed optimism that the cadre’s set objectives would be met, thereby making them better officers capable of discharging their constitutional roles professionally after the training.
Ali thanked the Chief of Army Staff for the moral and financial support provided for the training without which the event would not have been possible.
He also appreciated representatives of heads of security agencies present, the media as well as resource persons for attending the event.
Brig.-Gen. Frank Etim, Brigade Commander, 6 Brigade Jalingo, thanked the GOC for supporting the brigade morally and financially.
Etim also thanked the COAS for his vision in enhancing the capacity of officers through training and retraining.
He urged the participants to take advantage of the training to build themselves for challenges ahead.
Addressing newsmen, Mr Abimbola Sokoya, Commissioner of Police, Taraba, commended the army for developing avenues for collaboration.
Sokoya assured that the training would be of great value in curbing insurgency in the country, adding that such training would enhance the capacity of participants who would replicate it elsewhere thereafter.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN reports that security agencies present at the event included the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Others were Department of State Services, Nigeria Immigration Service and Federal Road Safety Corps.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Army launches new exercise in Kogi, vows to smoke ouThe Command Army Records (CAR), Lokoja, on Tuesday, launched an exercise aimed at fishing out criminals from their hideouts in Kogi, tagged: ”Exercise Enduring Peace ll”.
Speaking at the official flag-off in Okene, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya, said the exercise was designed to be conducted in the last quarter of the year to checkmate all forms of criminality as the yuletide season approaches.
According to him, the exercise is a result of the prevailing security challenges across the country, saying that similar exercises are also ongoing in other parts of the country under different names depending on the peculiarity of each region.
The COAS, who was represented by the Commander, Command Army Records (CAR), Maj. Gen. Sunday Igbinomwanhia, said “exercise enduring peace II” would hold from Oct. 18 to Dec. 22, 2022.
He explained that the exercise would involve stages of operational activities, including patrols, ambushes and raids of criminal hideouts.
He added that it would involve some non kinetic activities in form of Civil-Military Cooperation programme, such as free medical outreaches in some selected communities among others.
”Our choice of medical outreach in support of the exercise is deeply rooted in our belief that the support of the host communities is key to the success of the entire operations.
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He stressed that the medical outreaches would ameliorate the existing health challenges within the targeted communities, and foster existing cordial relationship between CAR and host communities.
The COAS further disclosed that the exercise is a joint venture involving all security agencies in Kogi as well as Vigilante Group to ensure peace across the state.
Yahaya emphasised that the decision to make it a joint exercise was in line with his vision to have ”a professional Nigerian Army, ready to accomplish assigned missions within a joint environment in defence of Nigeria.
”Therefore, we must work together to achieve the common goals of safeguarding the lives and properties of Nigerians everywhere,” he said.
The COAS commended Gov. Yahaya Bello for providing the enabling environment for them, while appreciating heads of security agencies for their continuous support and collaborations
Speaking in his own capacity, Igbinomwanhia appreciated the COAS for providing the resources for the free medical outreaches and the entire exercise.
”Kogi is a peaceful place and very strategic and important to our nation.
We must keep Kogi very safe and habitable for residents and passersby.
”We promise that wherever the criminals are, we will make Kogi unconformable for the criminals in whatsoever,” he said.
In his remarks, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who flagged off the exercise, thanked the COAS for organising the wonderful exercise to keep criminals out of the state and Nigeria at large.
Bello assured the COAS of the full support of the State Government, saying the exercise was timely especially coming towards the 2023 general elections.
He urged all the Local Government Chairmen and the traditional rulers and the entire people of the state to continue to cooperate with the State Government as well as the security agencies.
He assured that Kogi would remain a peaceful and secure state as far as Nigeria is concerned, saying, ”if Kogi is in turmoil, the nation would be in turmoil being bordered by nine States, including the FCT”.
Bello, therefore, warned that anyone no matter how highly placed in the society who got himself or herself involved in any criminal activity would face the wrath of the law.
”I will continue to lead this exercise from the front to ensure enduring peace for the people of Kogi. We cone in peace and we mean business,” Bello said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Attah Igala, Mathew Opaluwa, and other royal fathers were present at the occasion.
The Attah Igala, who is the President of Kogi State Traditional Councils, commended the COAS for the exercise, and assured of the continuous support from the traditional institution for the security agencies and the state government.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, on Tuesday, flagged off Exercises Still Waters, Golden Dawn, and Enduring Peace aimed at tackling security challenges across the country.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, made this known in a statement in Abuja.
While flagging off the exercises at the 6 Division Step-up Headquarters in Rivers, the COAS said the exercises were specifically conceptualised to meet security challenges peculiar to their areas of responsibility in the respective regions.
He said the exercises involved team operations with other services and security agencies, including the Navy, Air force, Police, Department of State Services, Civil Defence Corps, among others.
The COAS added that the synergy amongst the services and agencies would provide the opportunity for them to bring their special competencies to bear in the operations.
He added that each exercise would address issues unique to their areas of responsibility.
According to him, the exercise in Rivers will among other tasks address the issue of oil theft.
Yahaya expressed optimism that the troops would engender more peaceful and harmonious atmosphere for the yuletide and conduct of violent free elections in 2023.
He added that the exercises targeted the mitigation of security challenges in the South-South, South East, South West and North Central.
He warned the troops to remain apolitical and not allow themselves to be derailed.
The Chief of Operations (Army), Maj.-Gen. Tunde Akinjobi, said the exercises would adopt both kinetic and non kinetic approaches to make it friendly to law abiding citizens.
Akinjobi called for the cooperation of members of the public to ensure the success of the exercises.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, pledged that the division would be resolute in the pursuit of its mandate.
Oluyede said this was neccessary to facilitate conditions suitable for socio economic activities to thrive.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The 63 Brigade, Nigeria Army has begun a three-month training, codenamed “Exercise Still Water II, at a ceremony on Tuesday n Asaba.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the exercise which runs from Oct. 2 to Jan. 3, 2023, is a joint training programme of the army and participants from other security agencies.
In his opening remarks, the Commander, 63 Brigade, Nigeria Army Asaba, Brig. Gen. David Saraso, said the Exercise Still Water II was part of the Nigerian Army’s forecast of events.
“This training exercise is systematically planned to mentally engage and prepare troops to be ready for combat anytime the need arises.
“The exercise is also in line with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) vision to have a professional army ready to accomplish assigned mission within a joint environment.
“Let me say here that the exercise has been carefully packaged to cover all areas of security concerns in the state so as to garner participation from all stakeholders in security architecture in Delta,” Saraso said
He listed the police, DSS, and paramilitary organizations like the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Correctional Service and the Federal Road Safety Corps as co-participants in the exercise.
According to him, the joint collaboration provides the various agencies with roles, to create a free and safe environment for the citizenry in the state.
The commandant noted that with the entry into ember months, there is usually increase in criminal activities, as such the need to set in motion different strategies to checkmate the rise in crime.
He said the exercise also provided a platform to assist security services in Nigeria to find a common ground to fight social vices like cultism, kidnapping and ritual killings in the communities.
“Some of the objectives of the joint training is that participating agencies were able to identify threat, effectively analyse it and communicate to higher command to take necessary action.
“It also assists participants to prepare and learn how to secure camps and base areas and also enable troops to learn survival techniques in hostile environment,” Saraso said.
He used the medium to express the army’s appreciation for Gov Ifeanyi Okowa for his various intervention and support for the 63 Brigade.
In his address, Gov Okowa applauded the Brigade command for the exercise which he described as a laudable initiative.
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Patrick Ukah, reiterated the commitment of his administration to continuous support for security agencies for a secured Delta.
“It is my belief that this laudable exercise will go a long way to build inter-agency relationship in tackling security challenges facing us as a nation.
“The Nigeria Army has been our good friend in helping to keep peace in Delta state.
“So also, we have remained committed in our support for security agencies because of our conviction that no meaningful development can be achieved when there is no peace,” Okowa said.
The governor, however, appealled to the army and other security agencies to be civil, methodical, professional and exercise restraint in their dealing with the civilian population.
He used the medium to call on Nigerians to show support, love for the army and sister security agencies, for their numerous sacrifices in their daily battle to keep the nation secured.
Highlights of the ceremony was the presentation of the training’s flag to Gov Okowa by the Brigade Commander, for the governor to wave as a mark of official flag-off of the exercise.
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NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Commander, Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps (NAOC), Lagos, Maj.-Gen. Adeyemi Alabi, on Monday charged the youth to channel their energy toward positive development for a peaceful and greater Nigeria. Alabi gave the charge in Lagos during the Pulling Out Parade for retired NAOC senior officers and sanitation exercise within Ojuelegba and its environs. “The sanitation exercise is part of our Corporate Social Responsibility to ensure that we give back to the society and appreciate our host community for their support over the years. “The exercise further buttresses the fact that collectively, we can make our nation better and assist our quota to support the federal government, state government and all the civil authorities. “Therefore, I advise all youths to channel their energy and God-given talents for useful development,” he said. The commander thanked the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, for his visionary leadership that had motivated Nigerian Army officers and soldiers to give their best, toward the defense of our country. Alabi also congratulated the retried senior officers for their meritorious service to the nation and wished them a happy retirement. Also, Abeeb Yahaya, Assistant Route Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), who led the team that assisted in controlling traffic for the exercise, commended the Nigerian Army for the initiative in keeping the environment clean. Yahaya said that a clean environment would help the community in the fight against diseases and urged other agencies to follow suit. Mr John Akagboso, member, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Ojuelegba branch, said that the Nigerian Army had over the years been engaging in such commendable act. He encouraged them to continue to do so and said that the union would continue to support every effort of the Nigerian Army toward improving the environment. NewsSourceCredit: NAN
