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| Twelve Soldiers U.S. Army Soldiers share tactics and training with a little over 200 Nigerian Army Soldiers from the 26th Infantry Battalion in a remote military compound four hours north of the capital in Jaji. The seven-week training includes reacting to an IED, reacting to an ambush, securing an objective, operations planning, etc. The training's significance cannot be underestimated. These Nigerian Soldiers may eventually use these tactics when forward-deployed to fight against the violent terrorist organization, Boko Haram. Nigerian Advanced infantry training has significant implications outside of on-the-ground tactical manoeuvres. This bilateral military-to-military training carries diplomatic weight showcasing the U.S.'s commitment to its African partners and Nigeria's commitment to countering violent extremist organizations. |
The Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NOWA) elementary school, 6th Battalion, in Ibagwa, Abak Local Government Area received food donations from the Command as well.
Brig.-Gen. Abubakar Wase, Commander of 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, said in a statement during the donation of the items on Friday in Uyo that the gesture was part of a larger effort to improve ties between the two branches of government.
Wase promised the Akwa Ibom people adequate security over the holiday season through Lt.-Col. Michael Inyang, the Commanding Officer of 561 Brigade Signal, 2 brigades.
The commander urged everyone in the community to celebrate the holiday season with love and awe of God, and to keep those less fortunate in mind as they do so.
"We have given food supplies and other supplies to the teachers at the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association school and orphanages."
All of this is a part of Exercise Still Water, which is currently taking place in the state, as well as Civil-Military Cooperation, which aims to bring the civilian population closer to the military in order to reassure them of our commitment to securing both them and the state.
Therefore, we want to remind everyone that the military is always committed to helping them secure the State and that the holiday season has arrived.
"They should report to the military or other security agencies if they suspect any suspicious activity in their neighbourhood so that we can be able to help them," he said.
Halima Wase, the NAOWA Coordinator in Akwa Ibom, who was represented by NAOWA Public Relations Officer Margaret Abbey, said in her remarks that they had grown to appreciate the teachers after their successful completion of the first term.
The NAOWA coordinator thanked the educators for making the sacrifices necessary to educate the students and raise them in a way that would make them better Nigerians.
In the name of NAOWA, 2 brigade, she said, "I just want to thank the Brigade Commander for a successful end of the year. We also appreciate the teachers, the head teacher for ensuring the students have a wonderful term and session, as well as for the supports for this festive period.
The head teacher at the school, Bessy Affia, responded on behalf of the teachers who would benefit from the gesture and thanked the commander, officers, and soldiers of the 2 Brigade Nigerian Army for their kindness.
"God bless you, and God bless our Commander and the wife," I am standing here in unison with the other teachers at this school, as well as the teaching and non-teaching staff.
The head of Holy Child Orphanage, Rev. Sister Matilda Inyang, praised the army for keeping the kids in mind, especially during this time, and for praying to God to bless and reward them.
Speaking on behalf of the children at the orphanage, Joseph Mboku thanked the army for making them happy throughout the Christmas season and prayed to God for strength so they could keep protecting the country.