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By: Okosun Dennis
The heavy downpour was neither a threat nor an impediment that could have stopped the children of Bonny Cantonment, Victoria Island trooping out to the parade ground to have an unforgettable moment of Sallah celebration.
They came in droves; cutely dressed in different native attires resplendent of the festive mood. They danced, chorused songs bellowing from the Disk Jockey intimidating loud speakers strategically placed within the parade ground.
Soon after the dancing competition began than the rains started drizzling again. Intermittently, resurging countless times but eventually fizzled off.
The party organized by the Commanding Officer (CO), 65 Battalion, Lt Col Mohammed Lawal, on Wednesday, 28th June, 2023, was to bring the children of the barracks together in oneness, fostering unity, mutual understanding and bonding while using the opportunity of the Sallah period to galvanize cohesion among the children.
In his goodwill message to the children, Lt Col Lawal admonishes them not to engage in unwholesome activities such as drugs and other criminal activities capable of smearing their image and that of their parents especially during this festive period.
“I wish them Allah guidance and protection throughout this season. Also, they should remain law abiding and avoid using this period for misbehaving, drug abuse and any form of criminality.”
The celebration got to its apogee as soon as the bouncing castle and others were introduced. The excitement got to its zenith as they jumped from one point to the other while the little children – below five years – had an interesting time in the Ball Pick bed-like platform, beautifully designed and filled with hundreds of multi-coloured balls.
While thanking Lt Col Lawal for his fatherly care and for always hosting them during festive period, Master Umar Sanusi, a 13
-year-old boy expressed contentment with the high level of organization just as Ibrahim Musa, 12 years, also said that the party has given him an apple opportunity to relate with friends better under a relaxed atmosphere.
He called on the CO to sustain the tempo as it has succeeded in creating a harmonious relationships among the children of the barracks.
Earlier, Miss Zulaha, who offered the opening prayers before the commencement of the Sallah Children’s party, thanked the CO for his ingenuity organizing the party for them and wished him, officers and soldiers of the battalion, long life and prosperity.
Highpoint of the celebration was the cutting of the Sallah cake, which was led by the Adjutant, 65 Battalion, Captain Chimezie Igbozulike and Captain Precious Ukpedor, Commanding Officer, 65 Battalion Medical Reception Station (MRS) and other officers of the battalion.
Gift items were served those that had outstanding performances in the dancing competition. In addition, there were enough to eat as they were dished parked food supervised by the Bonny Cantonment Magajia, Mrs Hassanat Ali Fabong.
Organizing party for the children during festive time has been sustained by the Commanding Officer, 65 Battalion, Lt Col Mohammed Lawal since assuming office in 2022.
During the last Christmas period and shortly after the Ramadan fasting, children of the barracks were hosted by the CO.
