Victor Akinkuolie Ado-Ekiti
In continuation of its exercise across Ekiti State, led by the Commander, 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Akure, Brigadier-General Muktar Adamu, the Army has moved to secure schools and communities in the state, especially those at the remote areas.
The Commander who was represented by the Garrison Commander of the Brigade, Colonel Jibril Garba, spoke in Oke-Ako, Ajoni Local Council Development Area of Ekiti State, while flagging off the routine exercise of the military in the area, where books and other instructional materials were distributed to some selected public primary schools.
He said the exercise is part of activities of the ongoing Field Training Exercise tagged “Exercise Still Water III 2023”
The military Commander, said the exercise is also part of the activities of the Nigerian Army to foster more relationship between the people of the area and the military in securing the territory.
Ajoni LCDA has been described as a red zone and one of the volatile areas in the state with incenssant kidnappings and other forms of criminality in recent time.
The 32 Artillery Brigade helmsman reiterated the readiness of the Army to secure the areas and other parts of the state during the festive seasons nd beyond,
He explained that the donations of the educational materials is part of the contribution of the Army to be more familiar with the people and ensure quality education in the area.
He solicited the supports of the traditional rulers, community leaders and other sister security agencies operating in the state, in making the exercise a successful one.
Colonel Garba said the Army will continue to ensure peace and safeguard the lives and property of the people of the state.
“I, therefore urge the schools to use the education materials judiciously while the pupils should study hard in other to become better citizens of the country in the nearest future.
“Furthermore, I want to appeal to our esteemed traditional and community leaders, as well as the general public to reciprocate this gesture by assisting the military and other security agencies with relevant and credible information of security concerns in order to make the state safer.
“I am optimistic that this donation would foster friendship and encourage cooperation between the civil populace and the security agencies in order to improve the security situation in Ondo and Ekiti States,”he said.
In a remark at the occasion, the Commissioner for Education in Ekiti State, Mrs Olabimpe Aderiye, represented by the Education Secretary of Ikole Local Government, Mr Oguntuase Adeyemi, commended the Nigerian Army for the kind gesture.
The Commissioner urged the military officers to come to their aid in tackling the issue of insecurity that has bedeviled the area, saying that it almost resulted to closure of schools in some communities in the area.
She called on other security agencies in the state to take a cue from the Nigerian Army in securing the lives and property of the people of the state, while she urged the military to make the exercise a continuous operation.