Commissioning Civil Military Cooperation Special Intervention Projects Affords Me The Opportunity To Reiterate NA’s Resolve Towards Addressing The Security Challenges Facing Nigeria — COAS

Commissioning Civil Military Cooperation Special Intervention Projects Affords Me The Opportunity To Reiterate NA’s Resolve Towards Addressing The Security Challenges Facing Nigeria — COAS

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, NAM, has said that the commissioning of his Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Special Intervention Projects, affords him the opportunity to reiterate the Nigerian Army’s (NA) resolve towards addressing the security challenges facing Nigeria, through non – kinetic lines of operation. He stated this while making his remarks during the commissioning of the renovated block of class rooms and newly constructed cafeteria at Baptist Grammer School Idi – Isin, Ibadan Oyo State, on 26 June 2024.

Representing the COAS at the occasion, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division NA, Major General Obinna Onubogu, noted that the NA under Lieutenant General Lagbaja’s leadership, has enjoyed high level of cooperation and goodwill from the civil populace of Ibadan, Oyo State and across the entire nation; adding that the partnership and jointness have contributed emmencely to the successes the NA has recorded in the fight against insecurity.

He said that the objective of the intervention projects was to provide support to communities of serving NA senior officers across the nation who have risen to the enviable rank of Major General; and to appreciate them for their good efforts, dedication and selfless service to the nation.

He added that the projects are also to complement already existing services, basic amenities and infrastructures which the government, non – governmental organizations and patriotic individuals have provided.

Construction of roads and community town halls, sinking of boreholes, provision of computers and Information Communication Technology (ICT) facilities for schools, are a few of several areas the NA has impacted positively on citizens across different communities in the nation.

The Army Chief, also said that the peoject will provide an enabling and conducive environment to train youths in Ibadan and environs as well as provide them opportunity for a better future.

He commended the project executor, Major General Olalekan Soyele, while thanking the school management for the support given to him during the execution of the project.

The COAS, charged the students and school authorities to take ownership of the project and maintain it so as to derive maximum benefit from it.

Lieutenant General Lagbaja, appreciated the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his unwavering encouragement and support to the NA in all its activities, while affirming the NA officers’ and soldiers’ continued loyalty to the President and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN).

Major General Mathias Erebulu, who represented the Chief of Civil Military Affairs – Army, Major General Nosakhare Ugbo, expressed appreciation to the COAS, for availing him the opportunity to witness the momentous event.

He said that the project is an addition to several CIMIC activities and quick impact projects executed in various parts of the country; adding that they are in line with NA’s non – kinetic lines of operations, geared towards addressing the multi – faceted security challenges bedeviling the country. He expressed confidence in the fact that the project will serve the purpose for which it was executed.

Speaking further, the CCMA, charged the good people of Ibadan and Oyo State in general, to avail the NA and other security agencies their continuous support and cooperation in order to sustain adequate security of Oyo State and environs.

He commended the project executor, for ensuring successful completion of the project, while charging students and management of Baptist Grammer School Idi – Isin, to make judicious use of the facilities provided.

In his remarks, the project executor, Major General Olalekan Soyele, who is the current Chief of Defence Standard and Evaluation, noted that the COAS’ CIMIC Special Intervention Project which he executed at Baptist Grammar School, Ibadan, is part of NA corporate social responsibility to support Oyo State Government’s efforts at developing the educational sector in the state.

He expressed gratitude to the COAS for giving him the opportunity and support to execute the project. “I wish to convey the deepest appreciation of the good people of Ibadan Land to the COAS, and also thank him again for making available the funds for this laudable project in our community.” He also thanked the CCMA, Major General Nosakhare Ugbo and all who assisted him during the execution of the project for their priceless contributions and support.

Senior Officers from Defence and Army Headquarters, Principal Staff Officers of Headquarters 2 Division NA, His Royal Highness, Oba Sunday Ekundayo, Iroko of Ekiti, Chairman, Ibadan South West Local Government Area, Hon Kehinde Akonde, Chairperson Baptist Grammer School Old Students Association (BAGOSA), Ibadan Chapter Mrs Yemisi Kupoluyi and the Hon Commissioner for Education, Oyo State, Prof Soliu Abdulwaheed, amongst several other dignitaries were present at the occasion. The event was climaxed with commissioning of the projects, guided tour of the facilities and presentation of souvenirs.