The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has reiterated that Nigerians are critical partners in the fight against security challenges in the country.
The COAS made the assertion while commissioning Civil Military Cooperation projects executed by Major General Emmanuel Udiandeye, the Chief of Defence Intelligence at Bedia Community in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Gen Lagbaja stated further that efforts to surmount current security challenges in the country requires that the Nigerian Army (NA) mobilizes civil support in its whole of society approach to tackling the menace.
He noted that this awareness, is a crucial factor in sustaining the idea of the Chief of Army Staff’s Special Intervention Civil Military Cooperation Projects under the Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) line of efforts. These projects are always carefully conceptualized and executed to complement the states in providing top-notch basic amenities and infrastructure for Nigerians, he added.
The Army Chief however pointed out, that the NA is not out to compete with any level of government, political or socio-cultural entity and the idea of the projects is not to give any undue political advantage to NA senior officers, but rather, to complement the government and communities’ efforts at enhancing the quality of life of the people.
“Our projects are thus, a way of appreciating the communities from which benefiting senior officers hail, for giving the nation their very best to serve in the NA and to encourage them to continue supporting our operations and other endeavours”, he clarified.
Gen Lagbaja further revealed that over 200 COAS intervention CIMIC projects comprising hospitals, roads, boreholes, schools have so far been carried out by the NA. He expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Cross River State for their support to the NA.
The COAS appreciated the President Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the confidence always reposed in the NA and the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria. He pledge the unalloyed loyalty of the officers and soldiers of the NA to the Commander -in-Chief and Constitution of the Federal Republic.
The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Dr Peter Odeh, who represented the Governor at the event, expressed appreciation to the COAS for the execution of the projects and enjoined the people of Bedia community to effectively utilize and maintain the facilities.
The project executor, Maj Gen Emmanuel Udiandeye listed the projects commissioned to include, the Bedia Commercial Secondary School, Memorial Assembly Hall named after Late Major UJ Udiandeye, an Administrative Block and a new Science Building named after Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.
Others are the renovated Computer Based Test Block for WAEC and JAMB examinations, as well as renovated boreholes and solar lights. He disclosed that the intervention projects, which were carefully selected after consultations with leaders of the community, will give a new lease of life to the community.
One of the leaders of the community, Dr Jude Udiandeye, who described the project executor as an illustrious son of Bedia, remarked that the commission marks a historic landmark in the anals of Bedia’s history.
He commended the NA for promoting educational and infrastructural development in Bedia, noting that the NA has continued to build relationship with the civil populace across the country and therefore pledged to continue to support and collaborate with the NA. A major attraction at the event was a Medical Outreach organized to provide free medical consultation and treatment to several members of the community.
The event was witnessed by Royal fathers, Principal Staff Officers from the Defence and Army Headquarters, General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Commander Corps of Artillery and several other dignitaries from all works of life.
ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Major General
Director Army Public Relations
2 February 2024