Cultural diversity is a driving force for development, not only to economic growth but also a means of leading a more fulfilling intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual life.
Chief of Account and Budget (Army), Major General AA Fayemiwo, said this at the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) on 6 May 2023 organized an International Day Celebration for the participants of Course 7/2023 in Abuja.
The Celebration is part of efforts to showcase the richness of the world’s cultures and the essential role of intercultural dialogue in achieving peace and sustainable development.
Major General AA Fayemiwo,who was the Special Guest of Honour while going round various stands, appreciated the enlightenment on the history and activities of various allied nations.
He thanked the Commandant, members of the Faculty and Staff of the college for their sacrifices towards actualizing and sustaining the vision of the college which according to him would no doubt contribute immensely to the materialization of the Chief of Army Staff vision for the Nigerian Army.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commandant AWCN Maj Gen Bamidele Alabi said the International Day event is part of the activities lined up for the AWCN Course 7/2023 and the idea of incorporating officers from Nigeria’s friendly countries in order to broaden the scope of AWCN’s engagement and cross-fertilize ideas needed in professional military education.
General Alabi reiterated that, the college has continued to receive participants from allied nations and so far, the college has graduated 16 allied officers.
He added that the International Day Celebration is an avenue for the allied participants to showcase their countries to their Nigerian hosts while also having the privilege of seeing the cultural heritage of Nigeria’s 6 geographical zones displayed alongside theirs.
He, therefore, encourage the participants to maximize the opportunity to learn about the cultural heritage of the participating allied officers and that of Nigeria’s 6 geopolitical zones.
The Commandant appreciated the COAS Lieutenant General F Yahaya who is also the Chairman of the AWCN Governing Board for his untiring efforts in attending to the numerous requests made by the college.
The Course has 74 participants drawn from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, and others from the Republic of Benin, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, the Gambia, Liberia, Morocco and Niger Republic.
Highlights of the event were cultural displays and presentation of souvenirs to the invited guests
