The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has urged people of Angbasa in Lavun Local Government Area of Niger State to join hands with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to provide the required safe and secured environment for socio – economic activities to thrive.
Lt Gen Lagbaja made the pronouncement at the commissioning ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff ‘s Special Intervention Civil – Military Cooperation Projects executed in the community on Friday, 6 September, 2024.
He was was represented by the Commander, Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA), Major General Kevin Aligbe.
Angbasa community is the home town of the Deputy Chief of Training (Army), Maj Gen Musa Etsu-Ndagi, who executed the project on behalf of the Nigerian army.
The projects are the renovation of an old block of five classrooms, construction of a new block of three classrooms, borehole amongst others in Angbas Nursery and Primary School.
Lt Gen Lagbaja also reaffirmed the commitment of the NA towards addressing the security challenges bedeviling the country through non-kinetic approach, as well as improving the well -being of communities where Nigerian Army conducts its operations.
He stated that the Special Intervention Projects Scheme was introduced to provide support to communities of senior officers of the NA across the country, who have risen to the enviable rank of Major General, through dedication to duty and service to the nation.
According to him, the gesture also affords NA the opportunity to foster positive relationship and collaboration with the civil populace across the country.
He added that the projects were meant to complement the existing services and infrastructures already provided by the three tiers of government and other philanthropist various in communities.
“Thus , the NA has so far executed a number of these projects accross the six geopolitical zones of the country.
“The provision of basic education forms the bedrock of security and development. It will assist the children with the foundational skills that will prepare them for life, work, active citizenship amongst others.
“Equally, it will enhance learning experience of the children in Angbasa and environ,” he said. J
The COAS therefore, urged the people of Angbasa community to take ownership of the project and maintain it to enable them derive maximum benefit there of.
The COAS used the medium and commended Maj Gen Etsu- Ndagi for executing the developmental projects in his community.
He appreciated the people of Lavun Local Government and the entire Niger State for their continuous support to the NA .
He also urged them to join hands with the NA and other security agencies in the fight against crime and criminality.
Lt Gen Lagbaja assured that the NA is committed to discharging its constitutional responsibilities diligently to ensure that the security challenges facing the country are resolved.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Project Executor, Maj Gen Etsu-Ndagi, expressed appreciation to the COAS for graciously approving the necessary funds for the provision of the facilities.
Maj Gen Etsu-Ndagi highlighted that the people of Angbasa were agrarian in nature, and have embraced education by sending their5 children and wards to school .
He stated that prior to the projects, some factors contributed to the de-enrolment in school, dilapidated building, bad sanitary condition of the latrine.
“The COAS Special Intervention Projects arrived Angbasa to say No to de enrolment and, No to dilapidated structure, but Yes to the construction of a new block of three classrooms, renovation of an old block of five classrooms, construction of borehole amongst others in supporting of the enrolment.
“Education is a passport to the future of the children as COAS has provided passport for the children of Angbasa community.
In his remarks. the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (CCMA) NA, Maj Gen Nosa Ugbo, represented by Brig Gen Bemgba Koughna stated that the NA has continued to enjoy tremendous support from the good people of Niger State.
He added that their support and cooperation has been instrumental to the operational successes recorded by the NA in the state and across the North Central Region of the county.
He reaffirmed the importance of sustaining the already existing collaboration and cooperation in order to completely defeat the adversiries of our great country.
Delivering the Vote of Thanks on behalf of Chairman of Lavun Local Government Area, Hon. Isa Kutigi, represented by the Education Secretary of Lavun LGA, Alhaji Jibrin Alhassan, thanked the COAS, for providing the Special Intervention Projects to Angbasa community in Lavun LGA and Niger State as a whole
He stated that the projects will add value to the quality of education to the children of Lavun LGA and will make impact to the future generation.
He added that the facilities will add value to the potentials of Angbasa children and assured the COAS that the Local Government will continue to maintain and make judicious use of the projects.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by the Chief of Training TRADOC NA, Maj Gen Peter Okoye, Director Research and Development TRADOC NA, Brig Gen Martins Eteng , Commander 31 Artillery Brigade Minna, Commander 18 Brigade. Bida, Brig Gen Taiwo Ahmed, senior officers ( serving and retired).
Others included Nda Tsadu of Angbasa , former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, represented by Alhaji Baba Busu , officers from Army Headquarters and TRADOC NA amongst other invited guests.
