In a commendable move aimed at enhancing educational facilities and opportunities for children within the Minna Military Cantonment, Major General Kevin Aligbe, the Commander of the Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA), officially commissioned the newly remodeled Army Children School on Thursday, September 28, 2023.
According to Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the school refurbishment is part of a series of initiatives undertaken by the Commander to create a conducive learning environment within the Cantonment.
The remodeled school was inaugurated with great enthusiasm, reflecting TRADOC NA’s commitment to the welfare and motivation of its troops, in line with the command philosophy of Lieutenant General TA Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff. Major General Aligbe expressed his gratitude to Lieutenant General TA Lagbaja for providing the necessary resources to undertake this transformational project.
Emphasizing the significance of education in national development, General Aligbe underscored the role of quality education in alleviating poverty and reducing illiteracy in society. He urged both students and staff to maximize the new facilities and educational materials to enhance their knowledge. He stated, “The importance of education cannot be over-emphasized as it helps to reduce poverty and illiteracy in the society. Therefore, the children who will pass through this school deserve the best as we prepare them for leadership positions tomorrow. If we allow these children to graduate from a dilapidated environment such as it was, it could have affected the psyche of the children.” General Aligbe also noted that 75 percent of the over 3,800 students/pupils in Minna Military Cantonment hail from neighboring communities.
In a significant gesture, General Aligbe used this occasion to launch the TRADOC NA Educational Support Programme, providing essential school materials for the entire 2023/24 session to nursery, primary, and secondary schools in the Cantonment. The benefactors included NAOWA Children School, Army Children School, Command Children School, and Government Army Day Secondary School, all located within Minna Military Cantonment. Donated items comprised exercise books, pencils, rulers, biros, and various other educational materials.
General Aligbe introduced Spelling Bee and Scrabble competitions to promote and encourage academic excellence within the schools.
Mr. Bawa Usman, the Headmaster of Army Children School Minna Military Cantonment, expressed his appreciation during his welcome address, commending the Commander for his unwavering support, which he believed would rejuvenate the efforts of teachers toward achieving academic excellence.
It is worth recalling that, upon assuming duty, General Aligbe embarked on numerous projects aimed at rejuvenating the Cantonment and providing better facilities for its residents.
The event’s highlights included the official cutting of the commissioning tape and a group photograph to commemorate this significant step toward improving education within the Cantonment.
