The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, has constructed and donated a block of four classrooms with toilets to the College of Arabic and Islamic Studies (CAISO) Idoji, Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The COAS also built the principal’s office as well as renovated a block of Assembly Hall and staff rooms.
At the commissioning of the projects’ in Okene, the COAS and the Sponsor said the gesture was part of the Civil-Military Cooperation CIMIC Special Intervention Projects executed by the Nigerian Army across the country.
The COAS, who was represented by the Commander, Headquarters Command Army Records (HQ CAR), Major General Sunday Igbinomwanhia said, “Nigerian Army had enjoyed a high level of cooperation and goodwill from host communities over the years and thus it has taken deliberate steps towards ensuring that it gives back to the society the cooperation it enjoys from them by observing some corporate social responsibilities”.
He further said it was very much in line with his vision of “A Professional Nigerian Army, Ready to Accomplish Assigned Missions within a Joint Environment in defence of Nigeria”.
He disclosed that the project being commissioned was one of the several Civil-Military Cooperation related activities and quick impact projects executed in various parts of the country by the Nigerian Army towards contributing to National development as well as serving the collective needs of the members of ldoji community and its immediate environs.
He appealed to the community to see the project as a symbol of friendship between the Nigerian Army and their community. ”Let it foster the desired peace, and progress and indeed bring prosperity to the community as well,’’ Lt Gen Yahaya said.
The COAS appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari, for his continuous support to the Nigerian Army and for providing the conducive environment necessary to carry out their constitutional mandate.
He further appreciated the Minister of Defence Maj. Gen Salihi Magashi (rtd) and Chief of Defence Staff Gen Lucky Irabor for providing direction and support to the Nigerian Army always.
He commended the Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Yahaya Bello, the royal fathers and all the good people of the community of Idoji for their unrelenting support, particularly to the Nigerian Army.
He, therefore, urged the people to continue to live in peace and harmony and be tolerant of one another, stressing that Exercise Enduring Peace ll, recently launched in the state was to ensure peace.
The Commander Command Army Records Major General Sunday Igbinomwanhia appreciated the COAS for sponsoring several of those projects in Kogi State under his Area of Responsibility.
Director of Administration and Logistics Defence Research and Development Bureau Major General Sanusi Dahiru, who executed the projects, thanked the COAS for his passion for education and financial commitment to the reality of the projects.
Maj Gen Dahiru said the project was a way of reaching out to his community noting that his father had so much passion for the school during his lifetime.
The Ohinoyi of Ebira land, His Royal Majesty Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, appreciated the COAS for the gesture towards his people, and for ensuring adequate security in the State.
His Royal Majesty who was represented by the Asema Ezuka, His Royal Highness Dr Muhammed Isah, said the projects would go a long way in helping the community and the students for effective learning.
The School Principal, Mr Zakarriyau Ahmad, said he was overwhelmed by the projects executed and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the COAS as well as Maj Gen Sanusi Dahiru.
Dominica Nwabufo
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