by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH), Major-General AE Acbubakar, has noted the significance of constantly engaging the youths as key to reducing the spate of criminalities in society.
He made this known Saturday, 22 July 2023, during the finals of the ‘Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN Peace and Unity Football Competition 2023’ organized for communities in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The GOC and Commander OPSH, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, noted the significance of sports in promoting peace and understanding among the people.
He said the competition was organized to enhance and foster peaceful coexistence among diverse ethnic and religious groups of the area.
Represented by the Commander 3 Division Garrison, Brigadier-General Michael Agi, the GOC and Commander OPSH further tasked the youths to learn the lessons of sports, which he said includes: teamwork, healthy competition, discipline and respect for one another.
He noted that sports is globally used to advance social cohesion, tolerance, mutual respect, and used to heal wounds among nations.
While congratulating winners of the competition, the GOC and Commander OPSH called on each looser to brace up for the challenges and prepare for subsequent competition. He appreciated the government of Kaduna State and critical stakeholders for the support and cooperation given to security agencies.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commander Forward Operating Base Sanga, Major Mohammed Galadima, noted that the competition was organized to promote physical fitness, cooperation and healthy competition among the youths of different backgrounds, and revealed that 12 football teams from 4 chiefdoms participated in the competition.
In his Vote of Thanks, the Chairman Sanga LGA, Hon Bissalla Mallam, noted that programmes of OPSH have made the people realize that they can live in peace with one another, despite their religious, political and ethnic differences. He urged the youths to engage in activities that will prepare them for future challenges of life but distance themselves from vices that will ruin their lives.
Also speaking, the Member representing Jamaa/Sanga Federal Constituency, Hon Dan Amos, applauded the roles of the military in exploiting the necessary avenues to promote peace in communities, and reaffirmed his resolve to support the activities of OPSH towards ensuring peace in his constituency.
Highlights of the event were the presentation of trophies and cash prices to football teams and individuals.
