Day soldiers feted civilians in Ondo

Officers and men of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army, in Akure, Ondo State had their 2013 end-of-year party at the Owena Cantonment penultimate weekend and it was a day to remember, Dream-naija reports

If you think the military is all about war and peacekeeping, then you need to attend a “West African Social Activities” or WASA as it is better known organised by the Nigerian Army to see the civilian side of the soldiers.

Officers and men of 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Owena Cantonment in Akure, Ondo State capital had one recently and the civilians invited had the opportunity to rub shoulders with the soldiers and saw them in mufti or civilian clothes as against their normal khaki uniform.

WASA or “Civilian day” as some would call it is an annual event meant to take officers away from their routine regimented life to an atmosphere where they unwind and relax freely with one another as well as with their civilian brothers and sisters.

It was an event that dated back to the colonial era when Britain had the West African Frontier Forces comprising of units from her various colonies in the subregion, Nigeria being one of them.

The forbearers of the West African units distinguished themselves in many battles under the British flag and due to the diverse cultural inclinations of the West African soldiers, the colonial authorities introduced the West African Social Activities as an annual social event in response to the requests by soldiers to participate in their local cultural rituals.

The Nigerian Army derived its existence from the Frontier Forces and when Nigeria gained her Independence from the United Kingdom WASA was officially adopted in the Army, as a way of showcasing the cultural backgrounds of officers and soldiers from Nigeria’s rich and diverse heritage.

Apart from the officers and men of 32 Artillery Brigade and their families, friends, retired Generals and other top ranking soldiers returned to the barracks at Owena Cantonment on that day to celebrate the event with their friends and colleagues.

Not only this, other security agencies, like men of Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), State Security Service (SSS), Traditional rulers, Government officials and members of the public were all invited.

The event was unique in the sense that, it was the second time the barrack was having its WASA under the leadership of the Brigade’s new Commander, Brigadier-General A. M. Dikko, who succeeded Brigadier-General Mansur Dan Ali (rtd).

Cultural displays from various ethnic groups in the country were performed mainly by soldiers, their families, members of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), in the barracks and members of Ondo State Cultural Troupe. Traditional dancers from Enugu and Delta States, and Ikale in Ondo State among others, were all allowed to showcase their talents at the event.

In his address, Brigadier-General Dikko said, WASA was initiated for the purpose of strengthening the relationship of the civil populace and the military men.

Dikko said: “WASA is a forum where the military shows appreciation to friends and the deserving personnel through the presentation of gifts and award as well. This event normally takes place in the last month of the year.

“It was rescheduled to January this year in order to give allowance to festive celebration and to enable our good friends and good people of Ondo State to witness and have a feel of our culture.

 ”You might be surprised to know that most of the cultural shows that will be staged here will be performed by soldiers and their families. At the same time we have also leveraged on the rich cultural heritage of Akure and its environs.

 ”The Nigerian Army is constituted by people from almost all ethnic and cultural groups in the country. This is what makes it a unique organisation that is aware of its cultural and societal obligation and always seeks to promote and guard Nigeria heritage, particularly at formations and unit levels.

 ”WASA has come to stay like other events all over Nigerian Army formations and units. It is a means of bringing families of soldiers to interact and celebrate the end of year and as well as to preserve the rich cultural heritage of our nation.

“The cordial relationship that had existed between the 32 Artillery Brigade and the people of Ondo State and also Ekiti State which is one of our areas of responsibility has been commendable.

“We are also reaffirming our commitment to the aspirations of the two state governments and the protection of lives and property in the country.

 ”This event is remarkable to members of the 32 Artillery Brigade, during last year under review, the Brigade participated in a couple of activities. I am glad to inform you that the Brigade singled itself out and came third in all the competitions that we participated in 2013. We are grateful to the government of Ekiti and Ondo States for all the assistance rendered to the Brigade.

“Our feeling also goes to the families of soldiers who went out for operations in other parts of the nation and also outside the country in response to national duties”.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who was represented by his Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Bekekhimi Idhiarhi praised the soldiers for partnering with other security agencies in ensuring that the State is crime free.

Mimiko, however called for more cordial relationship between the Military and the civilians, as the country prepares for another general elections in 2015.

Uproar in House as APC members claim majority

Gbajabiamila calls Leo Ogor Minority Leader
Members of the House of Representatives returned from the Christmas/ New Year break to a rowdy session yesterday.
The session also saw members criss- crossing from one party to the other. APC lost two members —Francis Hananiya and Ganama Titsi, who moved to PDP, Adamawa. PDP also lost two members to the APC, with Emmanuel Jimeh (PDP) moving to APC (Benue) and Yahaya Kwande (PDP) to APC (Plateau).
But members of the APC, who insisted on changes in the leadership, deferred to a court order and withheld the letter they had intended to read on the floor, asking for a change in leadership due to their numerical strength, which the leader of the opposition, Femi Gbajabiamila, said “ is 20 more than the PDP”.
There was confusion as members of the APC and the PDP launched into hot exchanges, threats, shoving and insults.
The leadership change tension exploded in near violence over a statement made by Minority Leader Gbajabiamila.
Plenary was on hold for over 20 minutes as the chamber became a scene of angry members.
Trouble started when Aliu Madaki (APC Kano) brought up a matter under urgent national importance on the Rivers State crisis and the attack on Senator Magnus Abe. According to him, what is happening in Rivers State if not curtailed, could spell doom for Nigeria’s fledging democracy.
He urged the House to adopt his prayers, which called on the President to sack the Inspector General of Police, and asked for the dismissal of the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu, by the Police Service Commission and his prosecution for all the perceived crimes he may have committed.
But the Deputy Majority Leader, Leo Ogor, raised a fundamental issue of fair hearing under point of constitutional order.
Citing Section 36 of the Constitution, Ogor said: “Nobody should be crucified without hearing from him. If we take the resolution, it might become an embarrassment.”
But Gbajabiamila said the responsibility of the government is the security and the welfare of its citizens. He referred to Ogor as the Deputy Minority Leader.
This infuriated the PDP members. A horde of PDP members headed in Gbajabiamila’s direction. Believing they were bent on attacking Gbajabiamila, APC members sprang to their feet, and raced toward them off.
A tumultuous crowd submerged Gbajabiamila on his seat.
Efforts to get Gbajabiamila to recant his description of Ogor proved abortive. While the PDP members demanded a retraction, the APC members encouraged him to stand firm.
Thereafter, hot exchanges, threats, shoving, warnings and insults began, with members of the opposing parties almost throwing punches.
Speaker Aminu Tambuwal looked on as his initial efforts to quieten the House failed.
Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, Samson Osagie, Victor Ogene, Karmil Akinlabi, Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi and a host of others conferred with the Speaker.
It was a battle of supremacy that brought the plenary to an abrupt halt and replaced it with an uproar that lasted over 20 minutes.
Eventually, the Chamber quietened and the Speaker asked members to allow Gbajabiamila finish his submission. He opined that Gbajabiamila who he said “is a very senior lawyer and a ranking member of this House” must have been joking by addressing Ogor in such manner.
Gbajabiamila, however, stuck to his guns, saying: “With deference to Mr. Speaker, I will hereby refer to Hon. Leo Ogor as Hon. Leo Ogor.”
This brought a loud protestation from the members of the PDP who had expected Gbajabiamila to either retract his words or apologise.
The Speaker thereafter referred Madaki’s motion to the House Committees on Rules and Business, Judiciary and Justice. They are to report back to the House within one week.
Tambuwal admonished members to be careful of their actions, saying he is aware of the desire of the APC to assume the majority position of the House, but that as an institution, the House must not be seen to be flouting court orders even if they are questionable.
Said the Speaker: “We should be the last either as an institution or individuals to disobey court order. Let us continue as leaders to manage what I would refer to as an interesting development.
“We should work together as one. Politics we must play, but the institution of the House of Representatives is key to the stability of democracy. So, we should not slide into a situation in which we cannot conduct our business here. Nigerians will be the losers”.
The drama in the House came to an amiable end. Gbajabiamila and Ogor were sitting together about five minutes to the end of the plenary, laughing and sharing jokes.
At a news conference after the plenary, Gbajabiamila described the court order secured by the PDP as “strange” and “shameless”.
He said: “PDP’s restraining order is shameless as the constitution and the House rules are clear. We abide by the court order for now, until we study it in detail. With the court order, they are only trying to delay the inevitable.
“The situation in the House as at now is ridiculous because it’s the only legislature in the world where minority is in control. But we want to say here clearly that the numerical strength of the House has changed.
“APC more than PDP even with the two members that defected. How can the party with the majority be in the minority?
Ali Ahmad, Chairman House Committee on Justice and a former Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of Kwara State said the court lacked the powers to entertain such cases.
Describing the court order as a “Strange court order”, he said: “The quality of debate has not reflected the fact because arguments are not premised on the fact that no court has said there is no faction in PDP.
“PDP knew that there is a faction. The court did not even have the jurisdiction to stall another arm of government from performing its job. It is disturbing because there is no amount of urgency that will allow an arm of government to prevent the other from performing its responsibility to the people.”
Samson Osage, the Minority Whip, said: “We affirm our faith in the leadership of the House that has demonstrated fairness in the affairs of the House.
“We are not tenants in this country and to ridicule an arm of government by another arm through the court is not good for our democracy.”