In a bid to strengthen the existing civil-military cooperation between the military and the host communities as well as to sustain the momentum of the fight against insurgency, the Commander Sector 3 Operation HADIN KAI and Multi-National Joint Task Force, Major General AE Abubakar on Thursday, 16 March 2023 hosted the Theatre Commander’s sponsored maiden Quranic recitation competition for youths drawn from communities in Northern Borno with the Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum as the Special Guest of Honour.

In his welcome address, the Sector 3 Commander disclosed that the Quranic recitation competition was the brainchild of the Theatre Commander, Major General IS Ali whose visionary leadership spurred up the innovative idea to further reinforce the non-kinetic lines of operations in the war against insurgency.

In his remarks, the Theatre Commander Operation HADIN KAI and sponsor of the competition, Major General IS Ali reiterated on the importance of the competition, which was to arouse the spiritual consciousness of the youths. He added that events of this nature would continue to improve on the already established and robust synergy between the military and the civil populace.

He stated that “in Islam, seeking knowledge was the key for religious, moral and social development of mankind” He added that the spiritual exercise was a way of bringing back the heritage and practices of the indigenes to foster and promote virtuous morals as well as Islamic tenets and most importantly, to serves as a non-kinetic means to dissuade the minds of the youths from terrorist activities in Northern Borno.

The Executive Governor of Borno State represented by the Vice Chairman of Monguno Local Government Area, Honourable Sanda Modu commended the initiative which he said was aimed at inculcating positive virtues and the fear of Allah in the youths of Monguno and Northern Borno in general. He stated that the competition would benefit the youths and further enhance the cordial relationship between the civil and military components.

He added that “as a people, we are very optimistic that the competition would give a lasting impression and go a long way in winning the hearts and minds of the people of Northern Borno.” Governor Zulum further expressed immense appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya for his doggedness and resoluteness in tackling the myriads of security challenges bedeviling the country.

He also extended similar appreciation to the Theatre Commander OPHK for initiating the programme as well as the handsome cash awards attached to the exercise particularly the sponsorship of the winner to Umrah (Lesser Hajj) at the Holy Land in Mecca.

Participants of the competition who were drawn from Monguno, Baga, Cross Kauwa and Gajiram keenly contested for the star prize which was won by Muhammed Nur Mustapha that earned him the sponsorship to lesser Hajj in Mecca. The first and second runner up, Zaharadeen Yusuf and Mohammed Ali won the sum of N300,00 and N200,000 respectively. Other side attractions and prizes won included Best Dressed, Best Voice Over, and Best Reciter of the Holy Quran.

Dignitaries present for the competition included Principal Staff Officers of Headquarters Theatre Command and Sector 3 Operation HADIN KAI, Commanders of 19, 403 and 38 Brigades as well as other formation and unit commanders. Others were the District Head of Monguno, Alhaji Zanna Bulama Sadu, Chief Imam of Monguno, Alhaji Liman Kaumi, Islamic Scholars in Moguno, District Heads from Kukawa and Nganzai LGAs and the Honourable Chairman of Kukawa LGA as well as other stakeholders and members of the host communities.