Nigerian Army’s 13 Brigade marks WASA 2021

[From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar]

As part of activities marking this year’s West African Social Activity (WASA) 2021, the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army has feted deserving Officers and also celebrated the culture of various tribes across the country.

The colourful event took place at the Green field of the Brigade Headquarters located at Akim Barracks in Calabar.

WASA activities started in January 1946 after the Second World War by the British who honoured officers that participated in the war.

It was later incorporated into the year to year activities of the Nigerian Army and has been a routine over the years.

The year’s event had as theme: Celebrating Our Front line Troops.

Chairman of this year’s WASA and General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj. General Taofeek Lagbaja thanked families of troops in the Frontline for keeping the family.

The General Officer 82 Division’s message was presented by Brigadier General Frank Etim.

He charged troops to maintain the highest level of professionalism and remain disciplined.

He also told officers that no act of indiscipline will be tolerated in the months ahead and warned against the indiscriminate use of the social media.

“No act of indiscipline will be tolerated in the months ahead.

“You must adhere strictly to the extant rules on social media  as encapsulated in the Armed Forces Social Media Policy which prohibits the indiscriminate use of the social media”, he said.

He equally commended the brigade for its successful outing during the Excercise Stillwater which recorded tremendous success.

Earlier in his remarks, Brigade Commander, 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Everest Ifeanyi Okoro  said the activity is an age long military tradition which dates back to the era of the West African Frontier Force.

In his words, “The WASA is an age long military tradition inherited from generations far back to the era of the West African Frontier Force.

“From there, the tradition to organise social activity by units and formations to celebrate feats and successes recorded in military formations started.

“Since then, it became an annual event which demanded stocktaking and reflections on the activities of the preceding year”, he said.

He added that it is an opportunity to interact with families, friends and also provide a forum to honour personnel who excelled during the preceding year.

ORACLE TODAY reports that eight officers comprising five men and three women were honoured for their outstanding service during the preceding year.

The awards was presented by representatives of some sister agencies as well as a retired army officer.

Also, cultural displays by groups across the country performed to the entertainment of guests, families of officers and other members of the public.

Similarly, an array of traditional cuisines was served, as well as, a tug of war contest.