The Nigerian Army and the Performing Musician Association of Nigeria, PMAN, on Wedesday agreed to collaborate to use the instrument of music in the fight against insurgency, violence and general insecurity in the country.
This collaborative effort was arrived at following a courtesy call on Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai by the group led by its President, Hon (Mrs) Amina Dangaji.
Noting that Nigeria in recent times have suffered many acts of terrorism, disunity, anti-social behaviour and other forms of criminalities which is caused by corruption, drug abuse amongst other factors, Mrs Dangaji said this act of barbarism has left the society with no peace, vandalism, underdevelopment, increase in poverty, disunity amongst others.
She sued for creation of a beloved community for peace, development and progress to thrive.
Consequently the PMAN President said, the group would be partnering with the Nigerian Army and would avail the organisation with an opportunity to offer assistance in the area of creating awareness to the public.
She said this will be done through making jingles, organising talk shows, rallies and peace concert and other avenues to support army in the fight against insurgency.
“We want to use music to create more awareness to the public to support and assist the military and this fight against insurgency.
“We are proposing creating jingles, talk shows, rallies, peace concert and any other avenue within our disposal to achieve that with your good support”, she stated.
She acknowledged the role the Nigerian Army has been playing to maintain peace, promote coexistence, and protection of lives and property.
She used the opportunity to commiserate with the families of soldiers and officers that lost their lives in the course of protecting the nation.
It will be recalled that PMAN which was created since 1984 is saddled with the responsibility of Promoting and protecting the interest of Nigerian Musicians including West Africa.
Responding, Lt. Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai acknowledged the importance of PMAN explaining that music over the years has impacted positively in binding people together, promoting culture, social life, unity, education and entertainment, among others.
The COAS asserted that the organization has a very important role to play for the unity of the country, giving that division, disunity and anti-social behaviour can only lead to retrogression and insecurity.
While acknowledging the sacrifice of the Nigerian Army in the fight against insurgency and counter insurgency the COAS called on the PMAN to chart the way forward.
He therefore called on PMAN to continue to fight drug abuse, anti-social behaviour, promote a peaceful society through music and also support the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to succeed.
Present at the visit were the Chief of Policy and Plans, Army, Lt. Gen LO Adeosun, Chief of Training and Operation, Major Gen EO Udoh, Chief of Logistics, Major Gen Uniugbe, Chief of Standards and Evaluation, Major Gen F Azinta, Chief of Accounts and Budget, Major General Bakare, Chief of Military Intelligence, Major Gen SA Adebayo, Commandant, Army War College Nigeria, Major Gen Ofoche, Director of Plans, Major Gen BO Sawyer, and Acting Provost Marshall, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General H Ahmed.