COAS: We’ve Completed Approximately 300 Intervention Projects
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Toareed Lagbaja, has said that about 300 special intervention projects had been undertaken across the six geo-political zones as part of the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation.
Lagbaja said this on Wednesday during the inauguration of COAS special intervention projects at Lutheran Primary School, Nung Udoe, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom.
The projects executed by Maj.-Gen. Solomon Udounwa (rtd), who hailed from the area, were part of COAS special intervention projects in honour of retired Army generals in the country.
”I’m glad to be back again in Akwa Ibom State, this time around to commission another of the our Chief of Army Staff Special Intervention Civil-Military Cooperation projects executed by Maj.-Gen Solomon Udounwa (rtd), a bona fide son of the soil.
”So far, the Nigerian Army has undertaken close to 300 intervention projects across the six geo-political zones of the country.
”These have significantly contributed to our non-kinetic efforts at containing the multi-faceted security challenges facing our nation.
”Iam glad to note that our experiences have been positive and encouraging,” Labgaja said.
The chief of army staff called on the benefiting school and community to take ownership of the projects and protect them from vandalism.
He urged the people of Akwa Ibom to continue to support the army and other security agencies by providing information on criminals to tackle insecurity and protect lives and property in the country.
The COAS thanked President Bola Tinubu for his continued strategic guidance and invaluable support to the Nigerian Army.
In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, said that the projects represented a milestone in the ongoing efforts to ensure civil-military relations and foster community development in the country.
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Musa, who called on Nigerians to unite to defeat enemies of Nigeria, noted that when Nigerians unite against their common enemy, the country would be able to shame her enemies.
”I want to sieze this opportunity to call on all of us that Nigeria is going through trying times and that we must all unite together as one to defeat the enemies of the state.
”There are those who do not wish us well, we must shame them, and the only way we can achieve this is when we work together, as one people, as one nation,” Musa said.
Musa said the Nigerian Army Civil-Military cooperation projects reaffirmed commitment to ensure peace in the country.
In his remarks, Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, said that the inauguration of the intervention project was in line with the compassionate programmes of his administration.
Eno said the compassionate programmes of the government had witnessed the construction of model primary schools, health centres and and homes for the less privileged in the society.
The governor, was represented by the Commissioner of Internal Security and Waterways, Maj.-Gen. Okoko Essien (rtd).
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the project executor, Udounwa, who is a former pupil of the primary school, thanked the COAS for financing the project to completion.
Udounwa, used the ocassion to announce the launching of his foundation, Gen. Solomon Udounwa Foundation, to support indigent students in higher institutions in the community with scholarship awards.
He said that education remained the hope for socio economic development of the nation.
Responding on behalf of the community, the paramount ruler of Ibesikpo Asutan, Edidem Clement Ekpenyong, thanked the project executor for attracting the projects to the community.
Ekpenyong said the project would bring transformative development to the pulpils of Lutheran Primary School and the people of Ibesikpo Asutan.
Sources report that the highpoint of the event was the inauguration of two blocks of classroom, 145 writing desks, borehole water works, newly- constructed perimeter fence and security post. among others.
(NAN)
