As part of the requirement and in line with the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General TY Buratai’s directive, various Corps and other Formations Commanders as well Defence and Army Headquarters Staff Officers have been visiting the Exercise EGWU EKE II locations and deployments across 82 Division area of responsibility covering the 5 States of the South Eastern Geo-Political Region and part of Cross River State. Some of these visitors include the Defence Headquarters Team led by Air Commodore RN Shammah who visited 144 Battalion locations on Saturday 23rd September 2017.
Similarly, the Director of Operations Army Headquarters Brigadier General JGK Myam and Commander 44 Division Engineers Brigade, Brigadier General MM Mamman, separately visited the Operational Headquarters of Sub Sector Bravo of Sector 1, (144 Battalion location) Ex EGWU EKE 11 at Ongwa High School, Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia State.
In the same vein, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army, Major General A Oyebade along with the Acting Commander, Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, Brigadier General JI Unuigbe visited 144 Battalion location on Sunday 24th September 2017, where they were briefed by the Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel AU Usman. Thereafter, they were conducted round Aba and Umuahia in Abia State for an on the spot assessment of troops deployments and dispositions.
Similarly, the Commander Training and Doctrine Command, Nigerian Army, Major General RO Yusuf and Corps Commander of Nigerian Army Engineers, Major General OO Adeleke today Monday 25th September 2017, visited Sector 5 Operational Headquarters located at 24 Field Engineer Regiment Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. They were briefed at the Information Centre and the Operation Room on the Sector’s activities during the exercise.
Generally, the situation in the entire South East has been calm, as there was no reported breakdown of law and order anywhere in the region. Contrary to earlier insinuations, troops have been conducting themselves professionally to the admiration of all.
Meanwhile in another development, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division Nigeria Army, Major General Adamu Baba Abubakar has today 25th September 2017 delivered key note address and a lecture at a-two day Enugu State Emergency Management Agency Critical Stakeholders Forum, at the Nike Lake Resort, Abakpa Nike, Enugu, Enugu State. The forum comprised of heads of military and para military organizations in Enugu State, National Emergency Management Agency and the staff of the State’s Management Agency. Others are the Local Government Chairmen and representatives of local and international Non-Governmental Organizations such as the WHO, UNICEF, NCC and representatives from the business community.
In a lecture titled “Addressing Contemporary Challenges to Effective Disaster Management in Nigeria: The Role of the Nigerian Army”, the GOC emphasize the necessity for cooperation, collaboration and coordination between civilian and military actors during an emergency situation. He further noted that, although, disaster management is a secondary mission for the military, the inherent capabilities of the Nigerian Army like speedy and heavy buildup of logistics, manpower, security for emergency workers and their equipment will be of immense value to contemporary disaster management agencies.
The GOC also stated that during emergency and disaster management there might be occasions when NEMA may not have the full manpower and the specialist equipment necessary for effective disaster management, in such occasions, the Army can be an invaluable asset. He further highlighted the capabilities of the Nigerian Army in disaster management in the areas of provision of early warning, search and rescue operations, provision of health and medical services. Others are debris clearance, and public safety which the Nigerian Army can do on a greater scale than any other organization in the country.
Continuing, Major General Abubakar also stated that to be able to address challenges for effective disaster management in Nigeria, there was the need for the relevant agencies and stakeholders to intensify training and emphasized on timely provision of sufficient logistics, sensitization, public education and awareness in disaster management, as well as synergy with other relevant stakeholders among others.
The event was declared opened by the Executive Governor of Enugu State Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi city today, and will last till the 26th September 2017.
SAGIR MUSA
Colonel
Deputy Director Public Relations 82 Division
