Regent Digest -Special Issue (v8 - issue 16)

Special issue A SPECIAL ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY EDITION SPECIAL SPECIAL ISSUE FRIDAY 24 JANUARY, 2020 POINTS OF I N T E R E S T: HFROM THE EDITORIAL DESKonouring the heroes who served to keep our nation and continent together and hold our flag high” “None of us have seen the atrocities…of war… it is important to pause and think of the sacrifices our soldiers have made…” - Mr Andrew Williams (Principal, The Regent Secondary School). The event started with a patriotic presentation of our National anthem with four students dressed in full ceremonial military outfit representing the Service Chiefs. This was followed by a short speech by the Principal, Mr Andrew Williams about the Armistice Day. INSIDE One of the major highlights of the events was the presentation by Rtd. Master Warrant Officer THIS ISSUE: (MWO) Michael Oluwafemi, a veteran of four wars. He shared his experience while serving the country in the Chadian, Liberian, Sierra Leonean and Sudan wars. He was an infantry FErdoitmorTiahleDesk 1 soldier who lost many colleagues at the front line. While sharing his experiences with us, he reminded us that, “We need stability and peace to achieve economic balance” AThnethNemational Then there were the safety tips, in the case of a shoot-out or gun attack. 2 His presentation of the accoutrements of his profession and his speech was followed by outstanding performances by the Regent Secondary School students’ including speeches on The Principal’s 3 What Causes War, War Poems and speeches on why we honour our fallen heroes. Address PWreasrreanntitnOgfMficaesrter 4 To wrap up the performances was a solemn but most melodious rendition of Timi Dakolo’s ‘Great Nation’ by The Regent students, rising in crescendo to honour those who paid the CWaaursSestoWrya:rWhat 5-6 ultimate price. Poems 7-8 The Proprietress, Mrs Abdulrazaq presented a cheque of one million naira, (N1, 000,000.00) to The Nigerian Legion, in support of our living and fallen heroes. MWO Michael Oluwafemi, Why We Honour 9-10 Mrs Aishatu Usman the wife of late SGT Usman Musa, who hails from Borno state and Mrs Our Fallen Heroes Theresa Danies Itodo the wife of late SGT Daniels Itodo from Benue State received cash donations of one hundred thousand naira (N100,000.00) each from The Regent School. RGerenadtitNioantion - A 11 A short clip of our fallen heroes was shown. The last post, performed by our very own Maestro Donations 12-13 – Mr. Sowole – on his trusted trumpet, saw the laying-of-the-wreath ceremony to the fallen, known and unknown soldiers. Fallen Hero 14 TLahyeiLngasotfpWosrte/ath 15 Another great Remembrance Day had come to an end. Until next year ! The Interviews 16-17 Appreciation 18

PAGE 2 THE NATIONAL ANTHEM Respect Responsibility Resourcefulness SPECIAL ISSUE

PAGE 3 THE PRINCIPAL’S ADDRESS “Honouring the heroes who served to keep our nation and continent together and hold our flag high” “None of us have seen the atrocities…of war… it is important to pause and think of the sacrifices our soldiers have made…” - Mr Andrew Williams (Principal, The Regent Secondary School). Respect Responsibility Resourcefulness SPECIAL ISSUE

A LIVING HERO -MASTER WARRANT OFFICER – MICHAEL OLUWAFEMI PAGE 4 Respect Responsibility Resourcefulness SPECIAL ISSUE

P A G E 5 War Story: What Causes War? THE CAUSE OF WAR War is the presence of conflict and escalated disagreements that bring unrest to a society. On the contrary, Peace is the absence of war. Without war, we cannot have peace. To understand the causes of war we must know its origination. War is an element of the human construct and has been a demeriting factor of societal wellbeing since we humans came to existence. War destroys. War can be seen as merely inevitable as you don't need to go after it for it to find you and it is because of this that nations require a secure defence system that can ensure our nation's protection and sovereignty. This institution has been formed into the collective body of our armed forces in Nigeria today. These heroes and heroines sacrificed their lives so that we can have a tomorrow and it is because of this that we will be forever indebted to these heroic people and eternally gratefully for the price they paid for the protection of this great nation Nigeria. - Adeoluwa Kolawole, Year 10 Senegal Respect Responsibility Resourcefulness SPECIAL ISSUE

P A G E 6 War Story: What Causes War? WHAT CAUSES WAR? It is a question that very few ask. Or rather, it’s a question that is avoided, because deep down, we all know the reasons for war, because it’s evident in our day to day lives. Religion: Religious conflicts often have very deep roots. They can lie dormant for years, only to re-emerge in a flash. Religious wars can be tied to other reasons for conflict, such as revenge for a historical fight in the past. While different religions fighting against each other can be a cause of war, different sectors within a religion (for example, Protestant and Catholic, or Sunni and Shiite) battling against one another can al- so initiate war. - Keneolisa Oreh, Year 9 Congo What Causes War? Hunger. Poverty. Corruption. Pain. The lack of peace and void of sanity. The blasts from grenades that deafen your ears, to the destruction of land and homes killing thousands in the making. War; A state of armed conflict between different countries or different groups within a country. Conflict; The disagreement between two contradicting parties that lead to the series of events that we call war. Two people not being able to find a middle ground but the battleground was, in this case, their calling. The ripple effects that leave a mark on our world forever. The fallen soldiers, the broken families, the weeping widows, the hungry children, the barren lands all in the name of war. - Chloe Cole, Year 10 Senegal Respect Responsibility Resourcefulness SPECIAL ISSUE

PAGE 7 POEMS A SOLDIER CAN CRY Will I ever be able to look into my daughter's eyes that is as bright as the I look into the night sky sun? and wonder if I will ever be able to say Will I ever see my son grow up into a fi- goodbye ne gentleman, and say \"I'm proud of you A tear trickles down my face son\"? And yes a soldier can cry By now, I'm on the ground eyes shut, and In a distance I can see enemies vehicles not caring what is going to happen to me. come near, I might die today, I might not, I don't I stand my ground and hide all this pain seem to care, and fear, I feel the bullet rip into my skin I look around me, and mix with the earth within. I see all my fellow soldiers yell and scream, My body soon to be part of the earth, It's too hard, I'm not this tough, I'm not scared, nor am I sad I have had enough, because I know I have given my country I can't be like the other guys, everything that I am worth. Right now I'm waiting and screaming, I whimper slowly in pain Yes, a soldier can cry. it’s my turn to die for my nation. And yes a soldier can cry Will I ever see my family again? Will I ever be able to kiss my loved ones -Daniel Anohu, Year 9 Congo again? Respect Responsibility Resourcefulness SPECIAL ISSUE

PAGE 8 POEMS War We are so selfish The world is so selfish People go to war and never come back They say their last goodbyes to their fami- lies and loved ones Tears roll down lots of faces just because of our selfishness Today we pay tribute to you our soldiers To our fallen heroes, we say a good fight you fought Though you are no more, we still appreci- ate all you have done. Just know you will always be in my heart For forming what is my great country to- day. -Fatima Modibbo, Year 8 Senegal What is War? What is war? A means to end a dispute Soldiers waiting to shoot Families anticipating Children patiently waiting What is war? An expression of our selfishness Soldiers limping legless A young life lost But at what cost? What is war? A means to an end Leaving countless dead An unnecessary tribulation With no need for justification -Dawn Obot, Year 9 Benue Respect Responsibility Resourcefulness SPECIAL ISSUE

P A G E 9 WHY WE HONOR OUR FALLEN HEROES Why Should We Celebrate Them? Well, they were the men and women who sacrificed their lives in the service of their country, of their people, and to give us another chance at peace We should celebrate, them to remember their commitments to their countries and peo- ple They knew they might die on the battlefields of war. They knew their days were num- bered but they gave it their all, they stared death in the face If we can’t celebrate their commitments, their lives, their service we should give a thought to how the world would have been otherwise. - Aliyah Ahman, Year 8 Volta Respect Responsibility Resourcefulness SPECIAL ISSUE

P A G E 1 0 WHY WE HONOR OUR FALLEN HEROES We honour our fallen heroes for doing the things we cannot do; for sacrificing themselves so we could live. They are the pillars that hold up this great nation, how we could ignore such facts and ultimately ignore honouring our heroes. So many heroes have fallen because of the evil beings roaming Nigeria, but no matter what, they still lay their lives for every single citizen, even those who do not deserve it. -Bashir Umar, Year 10 Benue A HERO A hero is a person who helps one out of distress; well that's my definition of a hero. A hero can come in all shapes and forms. One will never know whether it’s one's sister or one's classmate or even one's teacher. But now we are all gathered here to appreciate celebrate and to thank these heroes. Now, why do we honour them? We honour them because first of all, they risk their lives, leave their family behind and pro- tect our nation from danger. They do this on a daily basis without fear, they are some of the bravest people we can ever meet. We also honour them so we can make them feel special to make them feel needed because we are all well aware they are. Every single person in this nation remembers and honours you. Thank you very much for protecting our Nation. Thank You! -Jordan Ogbetuo, Year 7 Congo Respect Responsibility Resourcefulness SPECIAL ISSUE

PAGE 11 GREAT NATION – A RENDITION Respect Responsibility Resourcefulness SPECIAL ISSUE

P A G E P1R2ESENTATION OF CHEQUE DONATIONS BY THE REGENT SCHOOL MWO MICHAEL OLUWAFEMI MARCHES UP THE STAGE PRESENTATION OF THE SUM OF N100,000 CHEQUE TO MWO MICHAEL OLUWAFEMI BY THE PRINCIPAL, MR. D. ANDREW WILLIAMS PRESENTATION OF THE SUM OF N100,000 CHEQUE TO WIDOW OF LATE VETERAN (SGT DANIES), MRS THERESA DANIES ITODO BY THE HEAD BOY, AKINWOLE OMOBORIOWO II Respect Responsibility Resourcefulness SPECIAL ISSUE

P A G E P1R3ESENTATION OF CHEQUE DONATIONS BY THE REGENT SCHOOL PRESENTATION OF THE SUM OF N100,000 CHEQUE TO WIDOW OF LATE VETERAN (SGT US- MAN MUSA), MRS AISHATU USMAN BY THE HEAD GIRL KHAIRA ABDULRAZAQ PRESENTATION OF THE SUM OF N1,000,000 CHEQUE TO THE NIGERIAN LEGION BY THE PROPRIETRESS, MRS ABDULRAZAQ Respect Responsibility Resourcefulness SPECIAL ISSUE

PAGE 14 A FALLEN HERO 'I Am A Soldier, Born To Die': This were Hamza Buba’s last words while fighting to defend his country: If I die in a war zone someday, box me up and send me home. Put all my medals on my chest, tell my mother I did my very best. Please tell my dad not to bow; Surely, he won't get tension from me now. Please tell my brother to study perfectly. The key to my car will be his permanently. Please tell my sister not to be upset, for her brother will take a long sleep after sunset. Please tell my nation not to cry, because I'm a soldier, born to die, but never to be forgotten. Respect Responsibility Resourcefulness SPECIAL ISSUE

PAGE 15 THE LAST POST & LAYING OF WREATHS. Respect Responsibility Resourcefulness SPECIAL ISSUE

PAGE 16 THE INTERVIEWS Respect Responsibility Resourcefulness SPECIAL ISSUE

PAGE 17 THE INTERVIEWS Respect Responsibility Resourcefulness SPECIAL ISSUE

PAGE APPRECIATION Thank You for Your Donations We would like to thank our students, parents and staff for their donations towards the Nige- rian Armed Forces Remembrance Day. A total amount of One Million, Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand, One Hundred and Thirty-Five naira (N1,250,135.00k) was raised by the school through donations. We are glad that we are able to count on your continued support. The families of our fallen heroes will remain eternally appreciative of your generous gesture. Thank you. ================================================================================ Widow 1: Widow 2: Mrs Aishatu Usman is the widow of late Mrs Theresa Danies Itodo is the widow of late SGT Usman Musa (Nigerian Army number SGT Daniels Itodo (Nigerian Army number 95NA/4049530). He hails from Borno State. 75NA/6004). He hails from Benue State. He was He was killed in action by the Boko Haram killed in action by the Boko Haram insurgents in insurgents in Biu Borno State. He is survived Maiduguri on 26th October 2013. He is survived by his widow and 3 children. by his widow and 4 children. Respect Responsibility Resourcefulness SPECIAL ISSUE