Nigerian Army Promotes Peaceful Coexistence Among Different Cultures At 2023 WASA Day
In a bid to promote coexistence amongst the different groups that constitute the Nigerian military, the Nigerian Army has celebrated the 2023 edition of the annual West African Social Activities (WASA) in Nasarawa State.
The event which held at the Army’s 177 Guards Battalion 2023, Shitu Alao Barracks in Keffi Local Government Area of the State, had in attendance the Nasarawa State Governor Engr. Abdullahi Sule.
In his remarks at the event, the Nasarawa State Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, lauded the Nigerian Army for maintaining its annual social event, the West African Social Activities (WASA).
He described the annual event as an opportunity for officers and soldiers to mingle, revisit their traditions and culture.
He said, the day was a pointer to the resolve and determination of the Nigerian Army to create an avenue to socialize with fellow soldiers and families, where they made it an integral part of activities in the Nigerian Army annually.
“The essence of the WASA is to ensure that soldiers and officers do not forget or abandon their traditions and culture due to the exigencies of military life.
“I am happy the Nigerian Army has maintained the WASA tradition because any group of people without tradition, without culture are a lost generation.
“The Nigerian Army is not unmindful of the fact that these cultures and these traditions must be maintained at all times.
“I am also happy to see officers and men and their families unwinding because there is a popular saying that all work and no play makes jack a full boy,” he said.
Auwalu Inuwa, the Commanding Officer, 177 Guards Battalion of the Nigerian Army explained that, WASA was created to take away officers and soldiers away from their routine regimental life to an atmosphere, where they can unwind and relax freely with one another and civilians.
“It is also aimed at upholding the culture and traditions of the nation in addition to getting personnel and their families in a social and conducive atmosphere to mark the end of the year activities,” he said.
Inuwa revealed that, it was the British colonial authorities who introduced WASA, owing to the diverse cultural inclinations of the West African soldiers, under their control called the West African Frontier Force, comprising of British West African units during the colonial era.
“The colonial authorities introduced WASA organized every year to grant the request of soldiers to participate in their local cultural heritage.
“This cultural heritage were in the form of sacrifices usually offered at the end of harvest or the beginning of the planting seasons to their gods and ancestors for bumper harvests or for peace and progress in the new year.
“Accordingly the military introduced these rites and named it WASA rather than sending representatives to the various villages who had their children in the military.
“Nigerian Army accordingly upheld this tradition after independence to boos the confidence of soldiers. This is the 24tg edition in this unit,” he said.
He then assured the officers, soldiers, their families and the public that, the 2023 edition will equally be colourful than the previous editions, as local dancing, display of different cultures and traditions and local dishes from different parts of the country are featured.
About 10 officers and soldiers of the 177 Guards Battalion were honoured with an award of excellence in their various fields, where several ethnic groups such as Yoruba, Fulani, Igbo, Gwari, Gwandara, Mada among others participated in the annual social event.
