By Desmond Ejibas
Eleme (Rivers) – The Nigeria Army 6 Division Port Harcourt on Friday distributed no fewer than 10,000 exercise books and food items to secondary schools, orphanages and widows of soldiers who died on active duty.
Commanding Officer of 29 Battalion,a battalion under the division, Lt.-Col. Ishaya Manga, delivered the items to the beneficiaries at Ebubu and Aleto communities in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers.
He said the distribution was part of the decision by the army to consolidate on the existing military/civil relations, an integral part of activities of Operation Still Water in the state.
According to him, the donation was also part of the non-kinetic approach adopted by the army in tackling criminalities, as directed by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.
“On Oct. 13, the COAS flagged off Operation Still Water 3 in Port Harcourt aimed to rid the state of criminal activities.
“The exercise is being conducted in collaboration with other security agencies and community leaders, traditional leaders, and other critical stakeholders in the state.
“We decided that using the kinetic approach alone cannot guarantee successful conduct of the operation, hence the adoption of non-kinetic approach to actualise the vision of the COAS,” he said.
Manga said the distribution of the items conformed with the philosophy of reaching out to the less privileged of society and vulnerable communities.
“We commenced this exercise a month ago, and as such, many communities as well as four orphanage homes have already received palliatives.
“Aside the palliatives distributed to Obele and Ebube communities, we have distributed 10,000 exercise books of 40 leaves to about seven secondary schools in Rivers,” he added.
The Paramount Ruler of Ebubu community, Emere Goya-Chinwi, commended the army for donating relief materials to his subjects.
“This gesture by the army has gone beyond what they are known for – which is securing the territorial integrity of the country from internal and external aggressors.
“So, we are highly delighted with the army’s assistance through the donation of palliatives and other relief items which has further endeared the people to them,” he said. (NAN)
