Bangladesh Army Col Nazma gets UN special award

Bangladesh Army Colonel Nazma Begum has been given UN special award for her outstanding leadership in the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI).

The UN has thanked Bangladesh Army for this, a press release of ISPR said today.

Col Nazma, who served the ONUCI from February 27 to August 31, 2016, as the first female contingent commander in ONUCI history, has also been selected for the ‘Military Gender Advocate of the Year-2016 Award’.

Madam Aichatou Mindaoudou, the special representative of the UN secretary general, at a parade programme, conferred the honour to Col Nazma and her team on August 16.

Mbaye Babacar CISSE, deputy special representative of the UN secretary general, handed over the award to Nazma.

Force Commander Maj Gen Dideer L’ Hote and Deputy Force Commander Brig Gen M’ Bemba M. Keita were present on the occasion.

In a statement, UN has said it would remember the Bangladeshi Medical Contingent Team with honour not only for giving medicare to the local people but also for the leadership that Col Nazma gave here.

The UN Accreditation conferred upon Nazma reads, “Having successfully deployed and led troops through daunting mission exigencies in Ivory Coast from February 27 to August 31, 2016 as the First Female Contingent Commander in ONUCI history, Col Nazma led the contingent with dedication and loyalty.

Her laudable achievements in the implementations of the ONUCI Mandate contributed to the great reputation of the continent.”

Furthermore, as a woman medical doctor, she displayed exceptional skills in dealing with issues of SEA, reproductive health, child care, HIV/AIDS in Daloa.

Being a commander of Level-II hospital (ONUC) with a very efficient medical team, she motivated her contingent to provide extra care for the women and children.

With her passion for safe motherhood, she requested her government to bring in a gynaecologist from army to deal with special complications on maternity cases, it added.