The Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has stated that although security remains on the exclusive list of the Federal Government, private and non-governmental organisations cannot afford to leave the burden of catering for security agencies to the Government alone.
The Army Chief stated this at the groundbreaking and foundation laying Ceremony of 120 Units of the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) Corporal and Below Quarters at Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, Giri, Abuja.
General Lagbaja pointed out that the buildings when completed will immensely contribute to addressing the huge infrastructure deficit the Nigerian Army faces in Abuja, as they will shelter 120 families of dedicated, loyal, selfless, and gallant warriors.
The COAS emphasised that the Nigerian Army, under his leadership, will continue to give utmost priority to the welfare of its personnel and families of the officers and soldiers of the Army must be well quartered, educated, and provided with good medical cover.
“The government and the society are duty-bound to provide for its military and other security agencies. We must, therefore, be partners in progress in the drive to give our warriors the best so that we can demand their best. I call on other corporate organisations and individuals to emulate the gesture of The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative and support the government in meeting some of the basic needs of the Nigerian Army”
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative for this laudable gesture, you have immortalised your name in this Cantonment, and I wish to assure you that when completed and handed over to the Nigerian Army, these accommodations facilities will be put to adequate and effective use” stated the Army Chief.
The process leading to the groundbreaking/foundation laying ceremony according to the COAS started a while before he assumed command of the Nigerian Army but did not stop the process as it strengthened the resolve of The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative to give back to the society through support to the Nigerian Army.
He appreciated the Founder and Chairman of the BUA Group, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, and the management and staff of ASR Africa for initiating and funding the project.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Abdul Samad Rabiu (ASR) Africa, Dr. Ubon Udoh, earlier in his address said the project that started with the former Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya,
Under the security sector support grant, allocated 2 billion to the Nigerian Army among other existing projects worth two billion with the sister services of the Armed Forces.
He pointed out that the chairman of the group believes that there is no development without security hence the commitment to security agencies’ support.
Dominica Nwabufo
