Army will consolidate on its many successes of 2023 – GOC

BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division of the Nigeria Army, Sokoto, Major General Godwin Mutkut has appealed to officers and men of the force to strive to consolidate on the many successes recorded in 2023.

General Mutkut, who spoke at the end of the 2023 Army Annual West African Social Activities (WASA) event held at the Giginya Barracks, 26 Battalion parade ground, Sokoto said keying into the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja’s command philosophy has helped to uphold their professional discipline.

Gen. Mutkut quoted the philosophy of the COAS as to “Transform the Nigerian Army into a Well –Trained, Equipped and Highly Motivated Force towards Achieving Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint Environment”.

While urging personnel never to compromise discipline in their assigned tasks, the GOC admonished Nigerians to  always be security conscious, monitor and report strange and unusual occurrences to appropriate authorities as a way of preventing occurrences.

Speaking on the essence of WASA, Gen. Mutkut, who is also the Commander North West Operation Hadarin Daji said, it is an annual event for the Army to mark the end of a year’s training  and also usher in activities for the next year.

He also confirmed that the 8 Div equally recorded  commendable administrative and operational improvements especially in the areas bordering on training and other requisite interventions which no doubt has helped in boosting troops’ fighting morale.

“The high standard of professionalism exhibited during Exercise SAFE CONDUCT of last year’s General elections including other Combat Exercises under Operation HADARIN DAJI within 8 Division Area of Responsibility was commendable,” he said.

“Furthermore, troops’ welfare and infrastructural development within the 8 Division also received priority attention as multiple intervention projects were executed and commissioned.

“Prominent among the projects are, the newly constructed 8 Division Headquarters Complex, the Commander’s official residence, the newly asphalted 1 km road in Giginya Cantonment, renovation of 12 Blocks at Corporal and below Quarters to mention but a few”.

Earlier in his remarks, Sokoto state governor, Ahmed Aliyu, represented by his Special Adviser on Security Matters, Col. Ahmed Usman (rtd.) applauded security agencies for their tireless efforts towards restoring peace to insecure places at the risk of their own lives.

The governor who promised his continued support for security agencies, also pointed out that, the North West is painfully being faced with  myriad of challenges ranging from banditry, cattle rustling, kidnap for ransom, terrorism and drug abuse among others.

He also urged the people of the state to always give useful information to security agencies, adding that such will help them overcome the bad ones in the society.