Okowa Calls For Continued Support For Armed Forces As Exercise Still Water 11 Begins In Asaba

Delta State Governor and Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has called on Deltans and Nigerians to continue to support and show solidarity with members of Armed Forces in their effort to preserve peace and security in the country.

Governor Okowa made the call at the flag-off ceremony of the 63 Brigade, Nigeria Army, Exercise Still Water II 2022 held in 63 Exercise Still Water camp, Anwai Road, Asaba.

The governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Patrick Ukah, said the exercise would provide opportunity for the officers and men of the Nigerian Army to collaborate with their counterparts from other security agencies to tackle the recurring security challenges in the state.

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He commended the Brigade Commander for the initiative, saying that the exercise would foster inter agency relationship, enhance information sharing and reinvigorate the security agencies efforts towards containing emerging security threats.

Governor Okowa noted that his administration placed high premium on the services of the security agencies and would continue to assist them for sustained peace and security in the state.

He urged the security agencies to continue to improve the relationship between the military and civil society groups as security remains everybody’s business.

The governor stressed the need for men and officers of the force to be professional, methodical and restrained in dealing with the civilian population adding that the use of maximum force on civilians should be a matter of last resort.

In an address, the Commander 63 Brigade, Asaba, Brig. Gen. David Saraso, stated that the Exercise Still Water II 2022, was part of the Nigerian Army forecast of event to mentally engage and prepare troops to be combat ready and be in line with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) vision of “a professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish assigned mission within a joint environment in defence of Nigeria”.

Brig. Gen. Saraso said the exercise would involve the Military, Police, DSS and other paramilitary organisation in order to create a free and safe environment for Deltans and Nigerians, by finding a common ground to eliminate cultism, terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery, ritual killings and others plaguing the country.

He thanked the COAS, Delta State Government and others for the support given to the brigade and reiterated the resolve of officers and soldiers of 63 Brigade to continue to improve the security situation and socio-economic activities in the state.

The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of souvenir to the governor by the Commander.

Meanwhile, immediately after the ceremony, Brig. Gen. Saraso donated food items to flood victims at the Ogbe-Afor Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp, Asaba, as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS).

Items donated include tubers of yam, bags of garri, gallons of palm oil among others.