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PORT HARCOURT – The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), the Army, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Police, on Saturday honoured the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja in a football match.
Speaking shortly after the match at the Sharks stadium, civic centre, Moscow road, Port Harcourt, Mr. Voke Emore, Chairman PCRC in Rivers State said the football match was part of its end of year activities.
He said the honorarium was in line with the seven days mourning declared by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun in honour of the late Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.
Emore said: “As part of end of year activities, we decided this year to honour the late chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Lagbaja.We need to celebrate our hero. This is also in support of what the IGP has done already.
“The IGP declared seven days mourning period in Police Force for the late Army General and PCRC decided to honour this great hero of Nigeria by carrying out this novelty match.
“The participation has been awesome.We are excited that everybody is here .It has been a fantastic game so far.The turn out has been massive.”
Also speaking, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Administration, 6 Division Nigerian Army, Colonel M. S. Daroda said the game was a symbol of unity existing between the security agencies, fostered by the late Chief of Army Staff.
“I am happy to be here.We were invited here by PCRC to participate in this novelty event in honour of the late Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Lagbaja. Our team have come here to participate. To show solidarity and generally in the spirit of jointness.You know most of our activities we perform these days are in a joint environment.
“Of course the leadership of the Armed Forces in General and in particular the 6 Division has also keyed into this general leadership philosophy.We are happy we won the Police team. Is an honour for me to be here”
On his part, the Commissioner of Police, CP Mustapha Bala, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, in charge of Operation, DCP Olubenga Adepoju, said the game was an opportunity to celebrate the meritorious service of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lagbaja.
“The relevance of the novelty match is to honour late Lt. Gen. Lagbaja. Is a very good initiative of the PCRC. It is an honour well deserved. The match was interesting, fortunately the Army team won the Police. It is an opportunity to celebrate him.”
Meanwhile, the State Commander of NDLEA, Ahmed Mahmuda said the honorarium was done to console the army for the demise of Lt. General Lagbaja.
“I appreciate the PCRC for organizing this unique event .It is unique in the sense that this is the end of the year .They succeeded in bringing in all the security agencies together to enhance their synergy, cooperation and their working relations.
“We are here to console the Nigeria Army for the demise of the Chief of Army Staff that just passed on”
Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nyang Umoh, who applauded the honour given to the Chief of Army Staff, also encouraged motorists and passengers alike to observe safety rules on the road.
“We miss our late Chief of Army Staff, It is a novelty match and it shows the love we have among ourselves. We are encouraged because he did his best, may his soul rest in perfect peace.
“In this ember month, We have designed our public enlightenment, Public education and enforcement, the message is to speak to encourage people up against dangerous driving. If you are in a public vehicle as a passenger, you have the right to speak up if the driver is driving dangerously.
“I call on drivers to be cautious, careful, observe simple rules while using the road.”
Our correspondents reports that the Nigeria Army won the Police, two goals to one at the end of the game, as the PCRC also later some orphanages in continuation of end of year activities.
