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By Stephen Adeleke in Okene.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya, has constructed a block of four classrooms with toilets and donated it to College of Arabic and Islamic Studies (CAISO) Idoji, Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The COAS also built principal’s office as well as renovations of a block of Assembly hall and staff rooms.
Speaking at the projects’ commissioning on Friday in Okene, the COAS said the gesture was part of the Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Intervention projects executed by the Nigerian Army across the country.
The COAS, who was represented by the Commander, Headquarters Command Army Records (CAR), Maj. Gen. Sunday Igbinomwanhia, said Nigerian Army had enjoyed high level of cooperation and goodwill from host communities and the Nigeria Citizens.
According to him, the Nigerian Army has over the years 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 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.
”The project being commissioned today is one of the several Civil-Military Cooperation related activities and quick impact projects executed in various parts of the country by the Nigenan Army towards contributing to national development.
”Thus, I believe this project will serve the collective needs of the members of this community and its immediate environs.
”I, therefore want to appeal to you to see this project as a symbol of friendship between the Nigerian Army and your community.
”Let it foster the desired peace, progress and indeed bring prosperity to the community as well,” Yahaya said.
The COAS thanked 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 thanked 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 Governor Yahaya Bello, the traditional fathers and all the good people of the community for their unrelenting support particularly to the Nigerian Army.
He urged the people to continue to live in peace and harmony and be tolerant of one another, stressing that the Exercise Enduring Peace ll, recently launched in the state was to ensure peace.
Speaking in his own capacity, Igbinomwanhia appreciated the COAS for sponsoring several of those projects in Kogi under his area of responsibility.
On his part, Maj. Gen. Sanusi Dahiru, Director of Administration and Logistics Defence Research and Development Bureau, who executed the projects, thanked the COAS for his passion for education and financial commitment to the reality of the projects.
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.
In his remarks, the Ohinoyi of Ebira land, HRM Alh. Ado Ibrahim, thanked the COAS for the gesture towards his people, and for ensuring adequate security in the state.
Ohinoyi, who was represented by the Asema Ezuka, HRH Dr Muhammed Isah, said the projects would go a long way in helping the community and the student for effective learning.
The School Principal, Mr Zakarriyau Ahmad, said he was overwhelmed by the executed projects, and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the COAS as well as Maj. Gen. Dahiru.
The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of souvenirs to dignitaries at the occasion as well as COAS who was the special guest of honour.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
