The Army Leadership has described Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State as a pillar of support to the institution.

The Chief of Army State, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, made the description on Monday when the Army leadership paid a courtesy call on Governor Uzodimma ahead of the opening ceremony of Regimental Sergeant Major Convention 2020 holding in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

Represented by the Army Chief of Policy and Plan, Lt. Gen. L. O. Adeosun, the Army leadership said they were in Government House, Owerri as “mark of respect” for Governor Uzodimma, and in appreciation of all the support he has shown to the Army in Imo State.

The Army also has kind words for the good people of Imo State under Governor Uzodimma’s watch, describing Imo as “a friendly state to the Nigerian Army”.

Lt. Gen. Adeosun said that the event that brought the Army to Owerri is not the first and that they are optimistic it will not be the last because of the cordial relationship that exists between the Army and Imo State.

The theme of the RSM Convention 2020 is “Regimentation as an instrument of Professionalism, The Role of the RSM”.

The host Major-Gen. Lasisi Adegboye who is General Officer Commanding 82 Division Nigeria Army, Enugu and Major-Gen. U. S. Yakubu, Chief of Administration, Army in their welcome address urged the RSM to pass their experiences to the younger ones.

Both Army Chiefs acknowledged that RSM are custodians of discipline and professionalism in the Army with Major. Gen. Adegboye insisting that “Knowledge not shared is a wasted Knowledge.”

They said the convention has lined up resource persons that the participants can draw from their wealth of experience to build professional competence, education and discipline.

While declaring the event open, the Chief of Army Staff whose address read by Lt. Gen. Adeosun said the convention is one of the training avenues to achieve his mission for the Nigerian Army.

“It is necessary you are adequately trained to play the role of bridge builder between the Army Officers and Soldiers, Buratai said, adding that the need to strengthen regimentation and discipline in the institution and at the barracks cannot be overemphasised.

Governor Uzodimma in his remark assured the Army that he will continue to partner with them for better security of lives and property in Imo and beyond.

He applauded the Army for the successes the institution has recorded in the country collaborating with sister agencies, and urged the leadership to intensify efforts to ensure that normal life returns in the North East where the people still feel insecure.

The Governor thanked the Army leadership for choosing Imo for the event, noting that the good people of the State will always be happy with their activities.

The governor specifically thanked the Chief of Army Staff for the choice of Imo for the convention.

Uzodimma who reiterated that the Army is a disciplined institution charged the participants to take advantage of the training to improve the lot of the Army in their different areas of activity and calling.

The event was witnessed by the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prof. Placid Njoku, several Army and other Security Chiefs holding different command positions, top government officials and Traditional Rulers from Obinze and Mgbirichi.

•PHOTO: Governor Hope Uzodimma (3rd right), Chief of Policy & Plans Nigerian Army, Lt Gen Lamidi Adeosun (3rd left) GOC 82 Div Nigerian Army, Enugu, Maj. Gen Lasisi A Adegboye (2nd right), Maj. Gen Chikwe (Rtd) (2nd left), Deputy Governor Imo State, Prof. Placid Njoku (right), Commander Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral A A Akinrinade (left) at the opening ceremony of a 6-Day Nigeria Army Regimentation Sergeant Majors Convention 2020 held in Owerri, Imo State

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