The Sector 111 of Operation Hadin Kai and Multinational Joint Task Force of the Nigerian Army in Monguno town, Borno State, has hosted a Quranic competition for youths to enhance civil-military relations.
in a statement on Friday, the spokesman of the sector, Babatunde Zubairu, said the maiden competition was organised by Sector 111 commander, A.E Abubakar, to consolidate the support of host communities to sustain the momentum in the fight against insurgency.
According to Abubakar, the competition was the brainchild of the theatre commander of Operation Hadin Kai, I.S. Ali, who sponsored it. He said the visionary leadership of Ali generated a new approach to further endear the military to the populace.
Abubakar said the new approach would further reinforce the non-kinetic lines of operations in the fight against insurgency.
Mr Ali said the competition would arouse the spiritual consciousness of the youth to the true teachings of Islam, which promotes peace. He urged for more synergy and collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the return of total peace and normalcy to Borno and the region in general.
In his message, Governor Babagana Zulum, represented by the vice-chairman of Monguno LGA, Sanda Modu, lauded the military for the initiative and other effective non-kinetic measures taken so far to win the fight against insurgency.
He lauded the chief of army staff for the renewed commitment to the fight against insurgency and assured his administration would sustain the support in that direction.
During the event, there was the presentation of a lesser hajj (umrah) seat to the winner of the competition, Muhammed-Nur Mustapha, and N300,000 and N200,000 to Zaharadeen Yusuf and Mohammed Ali, who came second and third.
Other prizes won at the competition included best dressed, best voice and best reciter.
The occasion was graced by dignitaries like the district head of Monguno, Zanna Bulama, who led traditional rulers, and the chief imam of Monguno, Liman Kaumi, who led the religious leaders.
(NAN)