COAS names edifice after late Lagbaja, inaugurates secondary school in Kaduna
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has inaugurated newly constructed blocks of soldiers’ accomodation in Kaduna to enhance the welfare of personnel.
The new accommodation included three blocks consisting of 30 flats named after late former Army chief Taureed Lagbaja, and 17 blocks housing 170 flats at the Jaji Military Cantonment named after the COAS.
Oluyede also inaugurated the Infantry Model Command Day Secondary School at the cantonment.
In his address, the Army chied said the projects were started by him when he was the Commander, Infantry Corps.
According to him, he pushed for the projects because of the shortage of accommodation for troops in the cantonment and to provide qualitative education to children within and outside the cantonment.
He assured that as Chief of Army Staff, he will continue with the same ethos of giving the best in terms of welfare to Army personnel nationwide.
Oluyede pledged to deploy the best teachers and other staff members to the new secondary school, so as to give children in the barracks the best education and place them in a favourable position to compete with their contemporaries in public and private schools both home and abroad.
The COAS assured that the laudable initiative would not end in Jaji, emphasising that it would be replicated nationwide in identified areas of need.
“As I speak, the final equipping of the newly constructed Command Children School in Daura, Katsina State is ongoing while renovation works are being carried out in similar institutions nationwide.”
The COAS stated that all the initiatives were all part of his grand plan for the improve the welfare of troops and their families.
“This is because, I recognise that the standard of welfare of our personnel and their families is crucial to our force readiness.
“This informed the ‘Soldier First Culture’ as one of the strategic objectives of my Command Philosophy.
“In that wise, the inauguration of these blocks of accommodation today will indeed go a long way in providing the much-needed relief in the Jaji community,” Oluyede said.
He urged the beneficiaries to take proper care of the facilities while restating his commitment to continuing to do more to give the soldiers befitting quality of life in their barracks.
Oluyede said that the Nigerian Army under his watch was also focused on the post-service housing needs for personnel.
“This is by rapidly expanding the ‘Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers Programme’ otherwise known as AHOOAS.
“All soldiers of the Nigerian Army should therefore be rest assured that under my leadership, their welfare will be my priority,” he stated.
Speaking on the ongoing unslaught against adversaries, Oluyede said the commitment of soldiers was yielding results, and thanked President Bola Tinubu for his tireless support and continuous guidance, while restating the Nigerian Army’s unwavering allegiance.
Earlier, the Infantry Corps Commander (ICC), Maj.-Gen. Abdul Ibrahim, said the event marked a significant milestone in the COAS’ commitment to enhancing the welfare of personnel and their families.
He said it was also a reflection of the unwavering dedication of the corps leadership to building upon the achievements of predecessors.
Ibrahim emphasised that the focus of the COAS’s command philosophy was clearly to consolidate the successes of past leaders and bequeath a well-motivated and combat-ready force, capable of fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.
He said that central to the COAS’ vision, was the recognition that the welfare of soldiers and their families was paramount.
“It is this philosophy that has driven the conception and execution of vital projects that are aimed at addressing the pressing needs of our troops.
“The completion of the first phase of 17 blocks of flats at the newly renamed Lt.- Gen. OO Oluyede Barracks in Old Kafanchan Barracks will directly addresses the accommodation challenges faced by our soldiers and their families.
“This is by providing them with a secure and comfortable living environment,” he said.
According to him, the ability of soldiers to perform their duties effectively will be significantly enhanced when their families are well-cared for and supported.
Ibrahim, therefore, said the accommodation was a testament to the commitment to ensuring that all personnel focus on their roles of safeguarding the nation.
On the new secondary school, the corps commander said it was not just a building, but a beacon of hope for the education of barrack children.
“By investing in their future, we are nurturing the next generation of leaders who will carry forward the values of service, sacrifice, and patriotism.
“Education is the foundation upon which we build a prosperous and secure nation.
“This school will play a pivotal role in shaping the minds of our youths and potential leaders of our great nation,” he said.
Ibrahim thanked the wives of soldiers and the families who stood steadfastly in maintaining the home front, thereby allowing soldiers to perform their duties with dedication and selflessness.
He urged the teachers and students of the school to embrace their roles as beacons of hope for the nation.
