Widows of slain soldiers receive N12m compensation

By EVELYN USMAN
LAGOS — Emotions ran high, yesterday, at the 81 Division Headquarters of the Nigerian Army, Victoria Island, Lagos, as widows of military personnel killed by members of the Boko Haram sect last month in Maiduguiri, Borno State were presented a cheque of N1 million each.

The widows, numbering 12, majority of whom were between 20 and 30 years, including their children,  broke down in uncontrollable tears,

[caption id="attachment_411984" align="alignnone" width="412"] Widow of Captain E. I. Oshoga and son receieving a cheque from Major-General Umahi.[/caption]

Presenting the cheques, General Officer  Commanding, GOC, 81 Division, Major General Abel Umahi, said the compensation was from the Borno State governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, as part of  succor to cushion the effect of the loss on their next-of-kin.

Describing the moment as a solemn one, he said the deceased soldiers from the 174 Battalion died in active service so that majority of Nigerians could live in peace.

He said aside the N1 million compensation by the Borno State governor, the Nigerian Army had undertaken a number of things such as payment of benefits accrued to the deceased as well as taking responsibility of the deceased’s children academic pursuit, particularly those  below 18 years.

He assured that the Nigerian Army would continue to do all within its powers to comfort the bereaved families.

GOC warns  extended families

Advising the widows to use the money given to them wisely, Umahi, however,  cautioned extended families not to arm-twist the widows of their benefits.

“Widows and children of the fallen soldiers are targets of this gesture. It is meant for wives and children, not for extended family members. The money should be used to carter for the need of the wives and children of the deceased. It is not for burial because the Nigerian Army had taken care of all the burial responsibilities.”

He also warned that the beneficiaries should not be stampeded out of their respective barracks accommodation.

The slain soldiers are Captain A. I. Oshoga, N/13977 of 174 Battalion; Sergeant Sadiq Ominisi with  Force number 95NA/40/4750 of 174 Battalion; Corporal Olafimihan Akeem, 92 NA/33/1698 of 9 Brigade; Corporal Sabo Mijinwaya of 9 Brigade; Corporal  Moses Sylvester 97NA/44/3971 of 9 Brigade; Lance Corporal Umar is a 97NA/45/7655 of 9 Brigade; Lance Corporal Michael Ike  of 9 Brigade; Lance Corporal Nwabunwane Monday of 81 Division.

Others are Lance Corporal  Kabiru Mairiga of 81 Division Garrison; Lance Corporal Job of 81 Division Garrison; Private Ephraim Ebimine and Private Ndah Mohammed.

Don't loot during crisis mgt or take sides, GOC tells soldiers

BY OKONKWO EZE
ONITSHA - Soldiers have been advised not to engage themselves in looting during crisis management or take sides with politicians during an election period.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Adebayo Olaniyi who gave the advice yesterday at the Military Cantonment, Onitsha, at a one-day sensitization workshop on Election and Disaster Management in Anambra State, said officers and men of the Nigerian Army should always abide by the rules-of-engagement in any operation.

Olaniyi who was represented at the occasion by the Assistant Director of Legal Services at the 82 Divisional Army Headquarters, Enugu, Col. Yusuf Shalangwa, declared: "You are expected to maintain high ethical and professional standards whether in internal security, civil emergency operations or election duties, adding, You must not loot in any civil or emergency duties you engage in or take sides with politicians during the forthcoming governorship elections in Anambra State. You must work within your operational guidelines".

He, however, said that the army was ever ready to protect its officers and men, who had discharged their professional responsibility creditably from unnecessary and unwarranted civil litigations, adding that the services of some reputable law firms in the country have been engaged the by military to defend such officers who had discharged their duties according to the dictates of the law.

In his own paper entitled: "Military and Media Relations: The Way Forward", Col. Hamza Gambo, Deputy Director of Army Information at the 82 Division, Enugu, said that the army and the press had enjoyed a historical robust relationship, adding, "The collaboration is always there. And the Nigerian Army all over the years has related positively and cordially with the public and the media".

According to Gambo, "The army has created special public relations and media relations department to further cement the closeness to the public and media, pointing out that the army also needed the media in its internal security duties especially for confidential information as well as projecting the achievement of the army generally".

In another paper entitled: "The Press and Crisis Management during Natural Disaster: 2012 Anambra State Flood in Focus", Lt. Col. Bayode Adetoro, the Commanding Officer of 14 Field Engineers Regiment, Onitsha noted that the media had a vital role of informing the people to reduce casualties.

Earlier in his remarks, the Commander of 302 Artillery Regiment (General Support), Onitsha, Col. T. A. Gagariga had called on those in flood-prone areas to listen and take action after messages or alert sent to them through the media or social media network.

According to Gagariga, "With the media being at the centre; it would be easy to contain any natural disaster. And emergency plans would be direct and clear to all stakeholders involved in a situation".

He noted that the workshop was organized by the 302 Regiment, Onitsha as part of its contribution to the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra as well as Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) warning on possible flooding.

The workshop which has Mr. Adim Williams of the Krisoral Group of Companies Limited, was attended by representative of the government, traditional rulers, community leaders, NGOs, Civil Liberty Organisations, Human Rights Organisations, media as well as officers and men of the army.