Nigerian Troops of Operation Lafia Dole were on Monday presented with gifts at the Headquarters of 7 Division of the Nigerian Army Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri by Volt Club students and Children International School (CIS) Lekki, Lagos.
According to the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations – 7 Division, Mustapha Anka, the gift pack tagged “Ziploc” contains varieties of items which are essential daily needs.
They include tooth brush, toothpaste, sanitary pads, shaving stick, chewing gum, towels, bathing soaps, candies, recharge cards, handy greeting cards with hand written motivating messages by pupils of the school to soldiers at the fore front of the fight against Boko Haram.
The leader of the CIS Ziploc Appeal 2016 delegation, Mr Bhila Kiphani, during the presentation of gifts stated that the students willingly donated part of their pocket monies to fund the project so as to put smiles on the faces of troops who are tirelessly fighting in hash terrains to save the country from insurgency.
“Every year we look for a cause and when we do, the students drive those causes and this year we decided to do something for the soldiers that are on the battle front.
“We’ve got 1000 Ziploc bags to form a battalion. Not only do we want to do this but we want others to take the torch in and take it further. So all Nigerians out there should go out and think about what they can do to also help he soldiers at the battle front,” he said.
Some of the emotional messages on the handy card sent to troops read “Thanks for putting smile on our faces”, “Thanks for fighting for me”, “Thank you for sacrificing your life for me”, “ Thank you Solider, I pray you return home safely”.
In his response the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu commended the pupil for remembering soldiers fighting in the heart of Sambisa.
“Commanding officers have laid down their lives; soldiers have lost their lives family members have lost their loved ones all because we are trying to keep peace in the land.
“And while majority of Nigerians are appreciating it like your school and these little children, some other Nigerians are out there trying to tarnish the image of the Army, trying to paint us black and trying not to see anything good that was done for this nation.
“But we take it that God almighty will bless these children because they are very patriotic in their attitude and behaviour. God will bless them and bless their parents.”
He further stated: “This is the most emotional moment of my stay as GOC of the 7 Division, for two and three year old children to contribute their pockets monies to remember our soldiers.
“We want to assure the CIS Lekki pupil (and) students that we will not let them down, we promise to exterminate Boko Haram terrorist from their hideout and ensure that they never exist again in our country.”
