Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), emphasized the Nigerian Army’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges through non-kinetic operations during the commissioning of Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Special Intervention Projects. The event, held on June 26, 2024, at Baptist Grammar School Idi-Isin, Ibadan, included the renovation of classrooms and the construction of a new cafeteria.
Representing the COAS, Major General Obinna Onubogu, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, highlighted the significant cooperation and goodwill the Nigerian Army has received under Lieutenant General Lagbaja’s leadership. This partnership, he noted, has been instrumental in the army’s successes against insecurity nationwide.
Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 2 Division Nigerian Army Lieutenant Colonel Polycarp Okoye said the intervention projects aim to support communities of senior Nigerian Army officers who have attained the rank of Major General, acknowledging their dedication and service. These projects also complement existing services and infrastructure provided by the government, NGOs, and individuals. Notable projects include road construction, community town halls, boreholes, and ICT facilities for schools, benefiting communities across Nigeria.
Lieutenant General Lagbaja underscored the project’s role in creating a conducive environment for youth training in Ibadan, offering them better future opportunities. He praised Major General Olalekan Soyele, the project executor, and thanked the school management for their support during the project’s execution. The COAS urged students and school authorities to maintain the new facilities to maximize their benefits.
Expressing gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support of the Nigerian Army, Lieutenant General Lagbaja reaffirmed the loyalty of Nigerian Army officers and soldiers to the President and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Major General Mathias Erebulu, representing the Chief of Civil Military Affairs – Army, Major General Nosakhare Ugbo, commended the COAS for the opportunity to witness the event. He noted that the project aligns with the Nigerian Army’s non-kinetic operations, addressing the country’s multifaceted security challenges. He urged the people of Ibadan and Oyo State to continue supporting the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to maintain adequate security in the region.
In his remarks, Major General Soyele, Chief of Defence Standard and Evaluation, expressed gratitude to the COAS for the opportunity and support to execute the project. He acknowledged the project’s role in supporting Oyo State Government’s educational development efforts.
The event, attended by senior officers from Defence and Army Headquarters, local dignitaries, and community leaders, concluded with the commissioning of the projects, a guided tour of the facilities, and the presentation of souvenirs.
