OMPALAN Confers Award On Buratia

Leaders Of Oil and Solid Mineral Producing Area Landlords’ Association of Nigeria (OMPALAN) yesterday day conferred on the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, the award of the ‘Protector of the Environment’ (POE).
The Tide’s source reports that the award was presented to Buratai, who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Lt.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, by the President and Chairman, Board of Trustees of OMPALAN, Bishop Udo Azogu, in Abuja.
In his speech, Azogu said the coveted honour of POE was a special reward in recognition of the rare and sustained sacrifice by the Nigerian army to sustain the nation’s hard-earned democracy.
He said that the award was in recognition of the inspirational leadership of COAS in defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria as well as securing the lives of all citizens and foreigners.
According to him, the mission and vision of OMPALAN is for a peaceful, united, progressive and prosperous country compelled by the rule of law.
“It is in this vein that we share a common ground with the Nigerian army in its uncompromising defence of the unity and sovereignty of Nigeria,” he said.
Azogu, however, called for deepened partnership between the association and the army in order to provide an enabling environment for Nigerians and investors to operate.
He said that the visit underscored the growing desire of mineral producing communities across Nigeria to build effective synergy with the army in order to add more impetus to your formation’s constitutional responsibility.
According to him, we are also here today to convey the unfeigned appreciation of mineral producing communities especially the war-torn areas of the North East region to the army hierarchy in securing life and property of law-abiding citizens.