In continuation of its non-kinetic activities aimed at strengthening cordial relationships with host communities, the Department of Civil-Military Affairs organised a Key Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum at the Offa Descendants Union Hall, Offa, Kwara State, on Tuesday, 22 September 2026.
A statement signed by Major Ojo Ifedayo Adenegan Acting Director Information Management Army Headquarters Department of Civil -Military Affairs Abuja said the forum, themed “Building Bridges of Trust: Strengthening Civil-Military Partnership for Peace and Development in Kwara,” was aimed at sustaining the cordial relationship between the Nigerian Army and the civil populace, particularly host communities in the region.
In his welcome address, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Nigerian Army, Major General Musa Awwal Etsu-Ndagi, said the forum was in line with the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaib’s Command Philosophy of Strategic Partnership. He urged participants to contribute meaningfully to the objectives of the engagement and called for continued support to the Nigerian Army’s efforts to curb insecurity.
Declaring the forum open, the Chief of Army Staff, represented by the Chief of Personnel Management, Major General Adewale Adekeye, commended traditional rulers and other stakeholders for their support. He urged them to use their traditional institutions to encourage youths and community members to support the Army through timely information sharing and intelligence gathering.
Delivering a lecture titled “Strengthening Communication and Collaboration between the Nigerian Army and Local Institutions for Sustainable Peace and Development,” Major General Olawale Lasisi Abidoye (Rtd) commended the establishment of the new Division and Battalion in the region and called for stronger collaboration between the military and host communities in combating criminal activities and banditry.
The Department of Civil-Military Affairs also presented an overview of the Nigerian Army’s Civil-Military Cooperation activities and other security-related issues.
In a goodwill message, the traditional rulers in Kwara South commended the Nigerian Army for organising the forum and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting legitimate efforts to promote peace, security, unity and development across the communities.
The engagement was attended by representatives of the Chairmen of Irepodun, Ifelodun, Offa, Oyun, Ekiti, Oke-Ero and Isin Local Government Areas; heads of security agencies; religious, market, artisan, trade and student leaders; community representatives and traditional rulers, including the Oloro of Oro-Ago, Olupako of Share, Aloffa of Iloffa, Elese of Igbaja and Olusin of Isanlu-Isin, as well as representatives of the Olofa of Offa and Olosi of Osi.
