By Efe Onodjae

The  9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Thursday, unveiled its  Hippopotamus Mascot at the  Ikeja cantonment, Lagos state.

 The Mascot which symbolises regiment and is assumed to bring good luck is found majorly in all divisions of the Nigerian Army.

In his remark,   the General Officer Commanding, GOC 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen.  Obinna Ajunwa stated that the objective of the mascot was to make the formation strong as well as the national defence, by providing security and resilience irrespective of the challenges.

 He said: “So much has been stressed on what Mascots represent, particularly the psychological role they play in bringing good luck to  the Nigerian Army units and formations”

 Prior to the adoption of the Hippopotamus as a Mascot in  2014, the GOC  disclosed that the 9 Brigade Mascot was Palm Tree. He said that the adoption of the Hippopotamus went through proper administrative scrutiny before its eventual approval by the Chief of the Army Staff, COAS Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya.

 According to the GOC, “Its adoption followed numerous  Military and tactical significance. I am personally glad that this is  the first time the image of the Mascot would be magnified in such manner and size at this headquarters. One could only imagine the energy that comes with Hippopotamus and appreciate the thoughtfulness of those behind the massive creativity before us”.

Earlier in his opening remark, the  Commander,9 Brigade, Brigadier  General  Isang Akpaumomtia, explained that Mascots were generally objects, animals or persons chosen as symbols of a regiment, unit or formation which were believed to attract good luck to such units or formations, adding that it also contributed to the morale and psychological spirit of the units and formations.

He said; “these mascots have been printed on papers and cloth and other materials, sometimes superimposed with other items or colours and adopted as logos of units and formations in the Nigerian Army.

“Hippopotamus offers more tactical and military significance. As typical of the infantry, Hippopotamus though an amphibious animal, adapts reasonably well on land. Research revealed that an aggressive hippo is capable to charging at a speed of about 30 km/hour while on land. They  are known for being brave, fearless and could defend their territories with the visible canines when required.

“ Aside from this, Hippos are prominent members of the famous ‘BIG 5 Family’ and a perfect submarine with a mixed capacity to walk in water while observing intruders prior to striking. Accordingly, a charging hippo with main armament open but  focused, is a perfect animal for the coastal Lagos State”, Brig. Gen. Akpaumontia stated.  

He further added  that the making of the  Brigade’s  mascot was aimed at improving infrastructural development of the Cantonment which he began, on assumption of  duty as  the Commander

This, he noted, was  in line with the Nigerian Army infrastructural development drive as encapsulated in the Chief of Army Staff ,COAS, Lieutenant General Farouk  Yahaya Command’s  Philosophy and vision to have a ‘ Professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish assigned mission within a joint environment in favour of Nigeria’.

The Hippopotamus, according to him,  was six feet tall and seven  feet long respectively, adding that “it is positioned on a five feet  elevation platform in order to make it more visible.

“This facility has been designed with a water fountain powered by a 1.5Hp water pump to shower our Hippo at all times. This is aimed at giving it a replica of its natural habitat within a riverine environment”, he stated.

 Brigadier General  Akpaumontia also highlighted the construction of a block of four classrooms at the Nigerian Army Officers Wives school, Ikeja ,  a quarter guard for the cantonment and the renovation  of the headquarters complex as some of his achievements.

 Present at the unveiling ceremony were : heads of  security agencies in Lagos state and  members of NAOWA.