Activities lined up for the Nigerian Army (NA) Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2024 continued on Wednesday with the commissioning of Quick Impact projects in Mangu, Riyom, Bassa and Wase Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Plateau State.
The Army also conducted free medical outreach at the University of Jos Main Campus Primary School, Angwan Rogo, Jos North, Plateau State, demonstrating the NA’s commitment to winning the hearts and minds of Nigerians through Civil-Military Cooperation activities and community development.
The outreach and projects are part of the efforts of the Army to foster civil-military relations as the Army observed NADCEL 2024, which coincided with its 161st anniversary on Saturday to be held in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
The grand finale of the NADCEL and 161st anniversary celebrations will take place on Saturday July 6, 2024 at Maxwell Kobe Cantonment, Rukuba, Jos, where a parade will be held.
Commissioning one of the projects, comprising renovation of blocks of classrooms, solar powered borehole and toilets at Mangun, in Mangu LGA, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja noted that the project is at the instance of an illustrious son of the community, Major General Godwin Mutkut, who currently serves as General Officer Commanding 8 Division of the Nigerian Army.
General Lagbaja emphasized that the Army Headquarters initiated such projects as a way of giving back to the communities of senior officers of the rank of Major General, who have served meritoriously and distinguished themselves.
The Army Chief urged the Mangun Community to take full ownership of the facilities and utilize it to the benefit of all. He also urged the community to support the NA and other security agencies in their bid to rid the Plateau of criminal elements bent on destroying the state’s good fortune.
The Army Chief clarified that the intention of the NA is to foster Civil-Military Cooperation to enhance cordial relationship and build trust in a manner that enhances its operations and training activities.
Elucidating further, the COAS stated that the NA, as part of its comprehensive soft approach to crisis management, will sustain the non-kinetic lines of operations through impactful quick impact projects and other civil-military cooperation activities to complement its kinetic efforts across the country with the objective of winning the hearts and minds of Nigerians.
He urged Nigerians to trust and support the NA to collectively create the desired peaceful atmosphere for national security and economic prosperity.
The Army Chief expressed gratitude to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his immeasurable support to the NA. He also thanked the Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, for their guidance and leadership. Gen Lagbaja equally appreciated the Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Muftwang, for supporting the NA in its efforts at restoring enduring peace to Plateau State.
In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, who is an illustrious son of the community, Major General Godwin Mutkut on behalf of the Traditional Council and Mangun Community expressed gratitude to the NA for the projects.
He pointed out that the NA in its efforts to build confidence and earn the support of the civil populace in the fight against security challenges across the nation initiated some projects across the country, stressing that the projects in Mangun will have positive impact on the well-being of the community.
The GOC maintained that the project will significantly provide enhanced learning environment for the community and go a long way in the fight against insecurity, as the young minds will be engaged academically and contribute meaningfully to the society.
In a related development in Riyom Local Government Area, the COAS commissioned another set of Blocks of Classrooms and solar powered borehole at Hoss community Secondary School Ta-hoss, Riyom LGA of Plateau State.
The Army Chief remarked that the choice of Ta-Hoss for the intervention was informed by the fact that it is one of the communities negatively impacted by farmer-herder conflicts on the Plateau, hence, the effort by the NA to help the community recover.
He avered that the blocks of classrooms would provide a conducive environment for learning, while the borehole with about 40,000-litres water storage capacity and other facilities will promote healthy living for the pupils and the community at large, especially now that cases of cholera are being reported in some parts of the country.
Similarly, in commemoration of 161 years of its existence, the Nigerian Army also conducted a free medical outreach at the University of Jos Main Campus Primary School, Angwan Rogo community, Bauchi road, Jos, where a large number of residents were availed free medical services to access medical examinations and tests, treatment for diverse ailments, as well as free medical check-up.
The event witnessed the distribution of free medication, eye glasses, mosquito nets, clutches, and wheel chairs to physically challenged persons.
Additionally, health talks and counselling were conducted to sensitize the community on the implications of substance and drug abuse.