By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
The 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Sokoto on Saturday distributed palliatives to 500 households at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Amanawa and Lugga communities settlements in Dange Shuni local government to cushion the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic economic difficulties.
No fewer than 250 households each from the two communities benefitted from the gesture.
The palliatives coming barely three days after the Division commissioned array of projects to mark the 2020 army day celebration included 10 kg of rice, cooking oil, maggi and beverages.
Speaking at the event slated as part of activities marking the 2020 Army day celebration, the Chef of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai represented by the Chief of Staff, 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Hamidu Musa said the day has a long standing history in the operations of the Nigerian Army.
According to him, the gesture was aimed at further fostering and extending the hands of brother hood to Nigerians in the civil community.
” We are sharing in the predicaments band difficulties of Nigerians as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Also speaking , the Acting GOC 8 Division , Nigerian Army , Brigadier General Aminu Bande represented by the Division’s Garrison Commander, Brigadier General Moses Gara traced the history of the existence of the Nigerian Army to 157 years in its operations of defending the territorial integrity of the country.
He said the dimension of the 2020 Nigerian Army day celebration has taken a step further to forge a responsive partnership with neighbouring civil communities especially with the devastating negative economic effects due to he Covid-19 pandemic.
” We are here to extend the army gesture towards alleviating the sufferings f the less privileged through this palliatives”, he said.
He appealed to the benefiting communities to also make useful information available to the army and other security agencies so as to assist in our operations towards ensuring safety of citizens as well security of lives and property.
” Doing this, will go a long way in assisting us to carry out our mandate of defending the territorial integrity of our dear nation”, he noted.
In his vote of thanks at Infectious Disease Hospital, Amanawa community , the Leader, Maigari Sama’ila expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Army for the wonderful gesture that has brought succour to the lives of his community.
” We pray Allah lead the Army to victory and successes in the course of their operations . It is now we know that the army is truly after our peace, safety , security and well being by remembering to support us through this gesture”, he said.
A cross section of beneficiaries, Maimuna Mamuda, Meri Garba Kalmaloand Salamatu Usman in their tears of joy thanked and prayed for the 8 Division , Nigerian Army for successful operations that would foster unity, peace and progress of the country.
