Gov Sule praises 177 Guards Battalion, Nigerian Army for maintaining WASA tradition

Photo: Dignataries led by Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai cutting the 2023 WASA cake at the Shitu Alao Barracks

By Olu Benjamin

Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state has praised Nigerian Army’s 177 Guards Battalion and the Nigerian Army in general for maintaining the Army’s West African Social Activities (WASA) which brings together officers, soldiers and their families to celebrate culture and traditions and socialize.

The Nasarawa state governor stated this at the Army’s 177 Guards Battalion 2023 WASA held at the Shitu Alao Barracks in Keffi local government area of Nasarawa state on Friday.

The governor represented by his Deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe said WASA as an opportunity for officers and soldiers to mingle, revisit their traditions and cultures and expressed joy with the 177 Guards Battalion and the Nigerian Army for maintaining the WASA tradition.

He explained further that maintaining the WASA tradition was a clear sign to the resolve and determination of the Nigerian Army as a whole to create an avenue to socialize with fellow soldiers and families and make it an integral part of activities of the Nigerian Army annually.

He further explained that the essence of the WASA was to ensure that soldiers and officers do not forget or abandon their traditions and cultures 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

The governor then commended the Commanding Officer and officers of 177 Guards Battalion for organizing the 2023 edition, promising to make himself available to attend future WASA events, giving it’s role in showcasing the different cultures and traditions in the country and strengthening bonds among different ethnic groups in the military.

Speaking earlier, Lt. Col. Auwalu Inuwa, 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 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.

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

Our reporter gathered that highlights of the event included dances and performances by several ethnic groups such as Yoruba, Fulani, Igbo, Gwari, Gwandara, Mada among others.

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. END