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By; JACPB ONJEWU DICKSON
In a bid to sustain the momentum of the fight against insurgency as well strengthen the existing Civil-Military cooperation with the host communities, the Commander Sector 3, Operation Hadin Kai and Multinational Joint Task Force, Major General P.O.A Okoye has commissioned a recreational facilities in Monguno town, Borno state.
In his welcome address before the commissioning of the project, the Commander explains the move was to ensure the existing civil-military cooperation is maintained towards fighting the Boko Haram insurgency that bedeviled the region for over a decade.
“The recreation facilities are the first of their kind in the AOR which is part of the non-kinetic efforts to encourage more returnees back to the community. The International Standard Volleyball Court and other indoor sporting facilities like table tennis and snooker were consciously put together to promote positive activities aimed at disabusing the minds of teeming youth and diverting their attention from engaging in criminal and non-profitable ventures such as terrorism”, he said.
Commissioning the newly built recreation projects, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, the Executive Governor of Borno state, represented by his Special Adviser on Security Affairs, Brigadier General Abdullahi Ishaq (Rtd), extolled quality initiatives of the Commander Sector 3 for his pragmatic and proactive leadership approach in promoting developmental, cooperative and infrastructure facilities in Monguno.
The Governor who reaffirmed his unalloyed supports for the Army and other security agencies in the state, reiterating that “the military has done marvelously well in facilitating gradual return of peace and tranquility to the communities, adding that ‘as a people, we are very optimistic that the sports facilities would leave a lasting impression in the hearts of the populace which will definitely go a long way in winning their hearts and minds”.
Gov Zulum also expressed his immense appreciation to the Chief of Army staff, Lieutenant General TA Lagbaja for his doggedness and resolve in tackling myriads of security challenges bedeviling the Northeast and the country at large.
He also commended the Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai, Major General GU Chibuisi for his dynamic leadership style. .
Highlights of the occasion include commissioning of the newly Constructed Recreational Facilities and flagging off of the Volleyball game between the Headquarters Sector 3 Team and Monguno Family Team. The contest was won by Monguno Family Team.
The colorful event was attended by the Special Adviser on Security Affairs to the State Government, Chairman Monguno local government District Head of Monguno and Leader of adjoining communities, principal staff officers of Headquarters Sector 3, heads of sister security agencies, religious leaders, representative of Trade Unions and other Associations and members of humanitarian organizations among others.
