By Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Farouk Yahaya, has on Friday inaugurated multiple projects in Sabon Gari, Zaria LGA of Kaduna State.
The projects were renovated 2 Blocks of 7 and 8 classrooms and a large hall of dilapidated toilet facility in Zaria, Kaduna State executed by the Nigerian Army.
The projects were facilitated by Maj.-Gen. UT Musa, who is from that locality.
Yahaya, represented by the GOC 1 Division Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Olufemi Akinjobi, noted that the Nigerian Army under his leadership is fully aware of the high level of cooperation and goodwill it enjoys from Nigerian citizens, particularly the good people of Kaduna State.
“Infact, it is on record that so many of your sons and daughters have contributed immensely to the development of not only the Nigerian Army but the nation at large,”he said.
Yahaya also noted that 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, that was in line with his vision of “A professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish assigned missions within a joint environment in defense of Nigeria”.
Yahaya explained that In pursuance of his vision, he have ensured that they рау very close attention t o the non-kinetic aspects of their operations.
“In this respect, the need to ensure that senior officers of the Nigerian Army are connected to their various communities in order to enhance CIMIC as well as winning their hearts and minds in support for our operations is instructive.
“This crave for cordial relationship necessitated the construction of these projects being commissioned today. This has further reinforced the Civil-Military Cooperation drive of the Nigerian Army geared towards bridging the communication gap between the citizens and their Army,”Yahaya added.
Speaking further, the COAS said that the Nigerian Army has enjoyed and hope to continue enjoying the support and cooperation of the people of Kaduna state in surmounting the challenges of insecurity in the country.
“The projects being commissioned today are among the several Civil- Military Cooperation related activities and Quick Impact Projects executed in various parts of the country by the Nigerian Army towards contributing national development. Thus, I believe this project will serve the collective needs of the members of this community and its immediate environs,”he said.
Yahaya therefore, appealed to the people to see the project as a symbol of friendship between the Nigerian Army and their community.
“The projects are to foster the desired peace, progress and indeed bring prosperity to the community as well.
He urged them to continue to live in peace and harmony and be tolerant to one another.
Yahaya assured them of the Nigerian Army’s resolve in conjunction with other security agencies had work in order to rid the country of criminal activities and all forms of insecurity.
He thanked the President Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his continuous support to the Nigerian Army and for providing the conducive environment necessary for them to carry out their constitutional mandate.
He also thanked the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor for providing direction and support to the Nigerian Army.
He further thanked the governor of Kaduna state, Sen. Uba Sani, traditional fathers and the good people of Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State for their unrelenting support particularly to the Nigerian Army.