Back-to-School: Army Brigade Commander donates 3,000 books to students
Photo : Brig-Gen. Mutiu Abiola Oloyede in a group photograph during the presentation of 3,000 books to selected schools in Borno State, under the ‘Back-to-School’ initiative of the Nigerian Army.
By Athan Agbakwuru, Owerri
In line with the non-kinetic efforts of the Nigerian military in the war against insurgency and the strategic initiatives for peaceful reintegration of the host communities, the Commander, 5 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brig-Gen. Mutiu Abiola Oloyede, has donated 3,000 books to three LGAs of Borno State.
In a statement issued Thursday and made available to newsmen, Captain Babatunde Zubairu, Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Headquarters, Sector 3 Mungonu, hinted that the three benefitting council areas include Mobbar, Gubio and Magumeri Local Government Areas.
Speaking during the presentation, the Commander, 5 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig-Gen. Oloyede stated that the gesture was part of the Nigerian Army’s support to the host communities affected by insurgency.
He added that the donation would enhance the quality of education at the local government levels and reassured the people of the communities of the Army’s commitment to restoring total normalcy in the area.
Brig-Gen Oloyede also promised to continually provide them with soldiers with sound educational knowledge to assist the schools as teaching staff as well as other incentives to attract students to school.
Responding, Hon. Mali Bulama Gubio, who spoke on behalf of the three Local Government Chairmen, stated that they were elated by the donation of the books and commended the commander and the Nigerian Army for the initiative.
Gubio stated that the gesture would improve the confidence of the people towards the Army and engerder robust collaboration with the civilian community in the fight against insurgency and terrorism.
In his remarks, Hon. Usman Lawan Moruma, Member representing Mobbar state constituency in the Borno State House of Assembly, stated that the donation of the books is a welcomed development.
Moruma used the occasion to commend the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. T.A Lagbaja, Theatre Commander Operation HADIN-KAI, Maj-Gen. W Shaibu and the Commander, 5 Brigade for their constant humanitarian gestures to the people of North East region.
Highpoint of the occasion was the formal presentation and handing over of the books to chairmen of the benefitting three LGAs.
Present at the occasion included, Hon. Usman Lawan Moruma, member House of Assembly Representing, Mobbar LGA, the Chairman of Gubio LGA, Hon Mali Bulama, Hon Abubakar Abdulkadir, Chairman, Magumeri LGA representative and Chairman Mobbar LGA among other dignitaries.
