Acting Chief of Army Staff Commissions Education Infrastructure Projects and Offices for Itesiwaju Community Primary School, Kwara State

…As Nigerian Army Strengthens Civil-Military Relations

… As the to improve education, community engagement

The Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, commissioned twin blocks of classrooms and offices for Itesiwaju Community Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) Primary School in Ilorin, Kwara State.

The project, which includes the installation of solar lights, construction of restroom facilities, desks, and chairs, is one of several Nigerian Army (NA) Special Intervention Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Projects sponsored by the COAS.

In his remarks, the Acting COAS, represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division NA, Major General Obinna Onubogu, stated that the NA recognizes the importance of the people as essential partners in progress.

He appreciated the good people of Ilorin and the entire Kwara State for their unwavering support to the NA. The Acting COAS described the scheme as one of many initiatives of the NA aimed at gaining the support and cooperation of the people.

The initiative is also geared towards fostering and improving Civil-Military Relations. Thus, the projects executed by these Generals on behalf of the NA are carefully selected and executed to improve the well-being of people in their communities.

He noted that the NA has commissioned well over 250 similar CIMIC projects across the 6 geopolitical zones in Nigeria. He expressed optimism that the amenities provided at Itesiwaju Community School would create a supportive and conducive environment to deliver quality education.

The Acting COAS appreciated the project executor, Major General Bamidele Alabi, for the exceptionally quality work done for the community. He thanked the school management, community leaders, and the entire community for the support given during the different stages of the project.

He charged them to ensure good maintenance and maximum use of the facilities. General Oluyede promised that the NA would continue to collaborate with other security agencies to deal with security challenges bedeviling Nigeria.

The Chief of Civil Military Affairs (CCMA) – Army, Major General Nosakhare Ugbo, stated that the commissioning ceremony provides a platform to showcase the NA’s non-kinetic operations intended to strengthen engagement with communities.

General Ugbo expressed confidence that the project would provide the targeted beneficiaries with quality education in a conducive learning environment. He appreciated Major General Alabi for the good job, attributing the high standards to his unrelenting passion to bring development to his community and beyond.

The Executive Governor of Kwara State, His Excellency, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, was represented by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Security, Alhaji Muyideen Aliyu. While appreciating the project executor, he thanked the COAS and the entire NA for the project.

Earlier in his welcome address, the project executor, Major General Bamidele Alabi, described the project as laudable. He welcomed the representative of the Special Guest of Honour (SGoH) and thanked the Acting COAS for the initiative and for considering him worthy for the project.

The historic event witnessed several government officials, royal fathers, and other dignitaries who took turns to deliver goodwill messages in appreciation of the NA for sponsoring the CIMIC project in Itesiwaju as well as others across the nation.