By Desmond Ejibas
Gokana (Rivers) – The Nigeria Army 6 Division, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday donated educational materials and food items to about 361 pupils in Mogho community, Gokana in Rivers.
The items donated to the pupils of Town Primary School One, Mogho, included school bags, books, writing pens and snacks, among others.
Presenting the items, Maj.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, said the gesture was borne out of the desire to support and encourage the pupils toward actualising their educational pursuit.
Represented by the division’s Chief of Staff, Brig.-Gen. Sanusi Aliyu, Oluyede said the donation was in commemoration of the Nigeria Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2022.
“This educational outreach is just to reach out to our communities to show them the importance of education.
“Nigeria Army, as the name implies, is for Nigerians. So, we want to come closer to the communities so that they will know that we are for them.
“We believe that in doing so, we should be able to win the hearts and minds of communities, and in return, they will provide us with useful information to tackle hoodlums,” he said.
Responding, the Chairman of Gokana Local Government Area (LGA), Confidence Dekor commended the army and urged youths in the area to shun violence and support security agencies.
He said the council would soon present a formal request to the army, to open an outpost to secure the area.
“Kedere, Bidere, Bodo city and Bomu communities are the communities that are giving people of Gokona sleepless nights.
“We appeal for calm in these communities. If we continue to hear gunshots in the communities, we will plead with the army to be here with us.
“To this end, the creation of a civil-military relationship by the army simply indicates that we shouldn’t be scared of them (army) but embrace them,” he added.
Mrs Torgiobari Teka, Head Mistress of the school, commended the army for its support of pupils of the school.
She called on the army authorities to assist the school upgrade its dilapidated infrastructure to engender a more conducive environment suitable for teaching and learning. (NAN)
