Armed Forces Remembrance Day: CO 222 Bn Organises CIMIC activities for Borno Residents
By: Zagazola Makama
As part of effort to win the hearts and minds of Konduga indigenes as well as to strengthen the existing mutual cooperation between the Nigerian Army and other stakeholders in the fight against insurgency in the North East. The Commanding Officer 222 Battalion in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, Lieutenant Colonel Olugbenga Osuntuyi organized series of activities in commemoration of 2023 Armed Forces Celebration Day Ceremony. Parts of the activities organized were Medical Outreach for vulnerable indigenes. Environmental sanitations as well as football tournament.
While declaring the events open, the Special Guest of Honour of the events and also the Commander 21 Special Armoured Brigade, Major General Adewale Adekeye who was represented by the Brigade Chief of Staff, Lieutenant Colonel Williams Ogbuoloko stated that the activities set out by the Commanding Officer 222 Battalion are aimed at fostering Civil-Military Corporation (CIMIC) as well promoting the spirit of excellence and healthy relationship among it’s host communities. Its overall objective is to channel the energies of the youths towards productive and legitimate engagement. The Chief of Staff also charged the people of Konduga to pray for peace in Borno State and Nigeria at large. The events were held at Fish Market, Community Football Field and Mandarin IDP camp all in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State on 14 January, 2023.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Commanding Offier 222 Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Olugbenga Osuntuyi stated that the events were organized to bring the people closer to the command as well as to boost her Civil Military relationship in the community as we mark the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
During the sanitation officers and soldiers of the Battalion defied the stench odour oozed out of dumping site in Konduga Fish Market. The soldiers were seeing clearing the refuse dump sites and also over grown weeds in the area as well as drainage blocked by bottles of water, nylons and wastes. While at the Mandarari IDP Camp venue for the Medical Outreach, the residents were full of joy as they all throng en-mass to report sick and get treated at no cost.
Same thing played out at the Konduga Community Football Field as it was filled to capacity as Tiger Football Club and Konduga United slugged it out among themselves. However, Konduga United showed its supremacy to Tiger Football Club, as they thrashed them with 3-0 goals. The event was greatly attended by Army Officer and Commanders of various security agencies in Konduga. Among them are: Representative of Commander 21 SAB, Lieutenant Colonel WA Ogbuoloko, Chairman Konduga Local Government, Comrade Wakili Kyari, Head of Civil Defene Service, Konduga, Head of Correctional Service, Wakili of Konduga among other dignitaries.
