Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has lauded the Nigerian Army for maintaining its West African Social Activities which bring together officers, soldiers and their families to celebrate and socialise.

Mr Sule gave the commendation at the Nigerian Army’s 177 Guards Battalion 2023 WASA held at the Shitu Alao Barracks in the Keffi Local Government Area of state on Friday.

Mr Sule, represented by his Deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, described WASA as an opportunity for officers and soldiers to mingle, revisit their traditions and cultures and expressed happiness with Nigerian Army for maintaining the tradition.

He added that maintaining WASA was a pointer to the resolve and determination of the Nigerian Army to create an avenue to socialise with fellow soldiers and families and make it an integral part of activities of the Nigerian Army annually.

He also said the essence of the WASA was to ensure that soldiers and officers did not forget or abandon their traditions and cultures due to the exigencies of military life.

“I am happy that the Nigerian Army has maintained the WASA tradition because any group of people without tradition, without culture is 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 dull boy,” he said

He commended the commanding officer and officers of the battalion for organising the 2023 edition of the event, promising to make himself available to attend future events, given its roles in showcasing the different cultures and traditions in the country and strengthening bonds among different ethnic groups in the military.

Earlier, Lt. Col. Commanding Officer, 177 Guards Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Auwalu Inuwa, explained that WASA was created to take officers and soldiers away from their routine regimental life to an atmosphere where they could unwind and relax freely with one another and civilians.

“It is also aimed at upholding the cultures 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.

Mr 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 British West African units during the colonial era.

He said, “The colonial authorities introduced WASA, organised every year to grant the request of soldiers to participate in their local cultural heritage. This cultural heritage was 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. The Nigerian Army accordingly upheld this tradition after independence to boost the confidence of soldiers. This is the 24th edition in this unit.” 

He assured officers, soldiers, their families and invited guests that the 2023 edition would equally be colourful and exciting like previous editions as it would feature local dancing, display of different cultures and traditions and local dishes from different parts of the country.

The highlights of the event included dances and performances by several ethnic groups such as Yoruba, Fulani, Igbo, Gwari, Gwandara and Mada.

The event also featured the presentation of awards of excellence to 10 officers and soldiers of the 177 Guards Battalion in the barracks who distinguished themselves in various fields in 2023.

(NAN)