As part of its continuous effort to preserve Nigeria’s culture and promote national unity, the Nigerian army held its 2022 edition of the Nigerian Army Social Activities (NASA) week at the Benin Army Hospital premises Edo, amidst fanfare to mark the end of 2021.
Musical and dance troupes representing different ethnic nationalities in Nigeria entertained the teeming gathering at the yearly August occasion.
In his remarks, Major General Joseph Orokpo retired, who was the special guest of honour described the annual event which is part of the West African Social Activities (WASA) as a beautiful one adding, “with the current security challenges in the country, this is a very good programme to bring the soldiers together and set a tone for the unity and understanding needed for national cohesion.”
On his part, Brigadier General Sanni Abdullahi, Brigade Commander, 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Benin City, Edo, described the West African Social Activities (WASA) as an important social forum targeted to promote and preserve Nigeria and African culture as a whole.
Brigadier General Abdullahi also stressed that the forum was essential in view of growing globalisation which according to him erodes cultural values in the minds of many children and young people.
In his words: “The WASA is an annual activity dating back to the 1940s to remember our troops in the Second World War.
“The Nigerian Army Social Activity is a long-aged tradition. It has a very rich history ranging from the West African Frontier Force to Second World War. It is a tradition that the Nigerian Army has maintained, likewise the army within the West African region, and actually marks the end of the preceding year. Also, we use it to bring in families of soldiers and officers, including our host communities to wine and dine and promote cultural values.
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“That is what WASA is all about. It is an event that many look forward to. It does not just come with the traditional dances alone, it tends to promote cultural values. Participants prepare various dishes from different cultural backgrounds.”
Brigadier General Abdullahi, explained, “With globalisation, our young children tend to forget what their cultural values are. These are some of the activities that remind them of their cultural values, and Nigeria as a whole.”
In her opening speech, the host, who is also the Commander of the Hospital, Col (Dr) Blessing Isoken George said the occasion is held to mark the end of the year 2021.
She also gave a brief on the history of the events, “WASA is an age-long heritage which is aimed at preserving Nigerian ethics and tradition through social interaction of personnel, their families and well-wishers.
In his remarks to journalists, Major General Erema Akerejola, commander Supply and Transport stated, “It is a time to bring the soldiers together, set a tone for the activities of the next year. It’s a period of interaction for the soldiers; you can see the various cultural troupes of various tribes of the federation taking part. It’s a joyous time for the soldiers.”
