The Chief of Army Staff, Liuetenant General Faruk Yahaya has disclared that under his leadership, the Nigerian army is ready to stand in harm’s way to accord Nigerians the safety, security and comfort that they deserve.
Towards this end, Gen Yahaya reiterated his determination to build all Nigerian army components of fighting power including welfare and administration of personnel, noting that he would continue to provide leadership and guidance for the troops in the fight against perpetrators of insecurity in the country.
Speaking at the maiden Annual Command Guest House Stakeholders Conference 2022, organised by the Department of Special Services and Programs, in Abuja, the COAS expressed the hope that with the acquisition of more equipment and platforms, “the Nigerian army would be well positioned to win the war against insurgency, banditry and other violent crimes ravaging the country”.
Represented by the Group Managing Director, Nigerian Army Welfare Limited by Guaranty, Major General Adekola Bakare, Gen Yahaya said the Nigerian army has concluded plans to build more Command Guest Houses across the country noting that the gesture was aimed at providing secured, affordable and reliable accommodation for the Nigerian Army, Armed Forces personnel, members of the public
The theme of the conference was titled, “Repositioning the Nigerian Army Hospitality Endeavours for Enhanced Service Delivery”.
Explaining that Command Guest Houses have continued to offer subsidized guest accommodation, recreation and entertainment support to users and had undoubtedly achieved their set goals and directives, the COAS said, “Presently, Command Guest Houses are located in Lagos, Abuja, Bauchi, Yola, Gusau, Maiduguri and Kaduna.
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“Command Guest House Sokoto will soon come on board as work in the new facility is almost completed. Plans are also on to expand and establish Command Guest Houses in major cities and geopolitical zones across the country.
Emphasizing the need to properly coordinate and manage all army welfare investments as it was critical to their sustainability and maintenance, he said the conference was convened to have an increased participation and more robust engagements with stakeholders of the guest houses.
“Since my assumption of command, our efforts have been geared towards improving infrastructure and facilities in the various Command Guest Houses.
“For example, the renovation of Command Guest House Maiduguri was completed and handed over to operators in May 2022, while there are also plans to carry out phased renovation of Command Guest Houses in Apapa, Yola, Gusau and Kaduna.
“These gestures are aimed at improving and repositioning the service delivery requirement of these very important Nigerian Army Welfare Facilities” he said.
In his welcome address, the Chief of Special Services and Programmes, Nigerian Army, Major General Solomon Udounwa, stated that the Nigerian army had redoubled its efforts to enhance the well-being of its personnel and their
families through welfare investments.
He submitted that the department was established in January with the mandate to ensure the efficient management of the guest houses amongst other roles and responsibilities.
Major Gen Udounwa added that aim of the conference is to enable Stakeholders and the management’s present briefs in respect of their facilities, with a view to taking appropriate decisions to sustain their operations
His words, “To address this gap, the department sought to increase the participation of stakeholders by proposing a more elaborate annual conference.
“It was envisaged that the conference would provide a more appropriate avenue for interaction among the managements of Command Guest Houses, stakeholders, operators and professionals in the hospitality business.
“In this regard, we are excited to have representatives from all command guest houses as well as hospitality industry operators, regulators and professionals to interact and offer experience that would galvanize our zeal and interest”
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