On Tuesday, the 1 Division Nigerian Army Headquarters Kaduna engaged selected secondary schools on public speaking in Kaduna to mark its 161st anniversary.

The schools engaged include Sardauna Memorial College (SMC), Government Secondary School (GSS)Kawo, Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS) Kawo, and Rimi College.

Addressing the students of the selected schools, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Mayirenso Saraso , said the public speaking engagement was to commemorate the Nigerian Army Day Celebration.

He was represented by the division’s Chief of Staff (COS), Brig.-Gen. David Nwakonobi. Saraso said the event was organised to enlighten the participants about the Nigerian Army and positively influence the targeted audience’s perceptions, opinions, attitudes, and behaviours.

According to him, it is also meant to inform the students on the career opportunities in the Nigerian Army.

Other talking points included the need to avoid criminal companies and criminality, advocacy against cultism, drugs and substance abuse, as well as career opportunities for them in the Nigerian Army.

The criteria for selection and enlistment, as well as civil-military relations and developmental projects undertaken by the Nigerian Army, are also among the issues discussed.

The GOC appreciated the principal and staff of Sardauna Memorial College Kaduna for providing the venue for the event despite the short notice.

In his remarks, the principal, Sardauna Memorial College, Malam AbdulRasheed Aliyu, commended the Nigerian Army for choosing their school for such historic event.

“The event has given us the perspective of what the Nigerian Army is as a discipline and profession, it has educated our students to know much about the army and also if they want to choose a career,” Aliyu said.

Highlights of the event included a last-minute documentary video clip on the Nigerian Army to further enlighten the students about their activities and the distribution of educational materials.