By Augustine Ehikioya
For best usage, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya has charged Buguma Community members to put to best use, medical equipment donated to the community health centre and the remodeled ASALGA Nursery and Primary School.
He gave the charge as he commissioned and handed over the remodeled ASALGA Nursery and Primary School and medical equipment for use at the community health centre.
A statement by the Ag Deputy Director, Army Public Relations,
6 Division, Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel, Iweha Ikedichi, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA), said the COAS was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division Nigerian Army/Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force South-South Operation Delta Safe, Major General Jamal Abdussalam.
According to him, it was indeed gratifying to “observe that the projects would have direct bearing on the lives of members of the community.”
The Nigerian Army, he said, was aware of the tremendous support and goodwill it enjoys from across the country and Buguma in particular; and “hence the citing of the projects in the community in honour of an illustrious son of the Buguma Community, Major General Tonye Numbere.”
He said the Nigerian Army has taken deliberate steps in ensuring it gives back to the society the cooperation it has received by way of observing corporate social responsibility and providing social safety nets to those in need.
He added that pursuance to his vision which is to have a professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish assigned mission in a joint environment in the Defence of Nigeria, makes it imperative to ensure that the army pays close attention to non kinetic aspects of military operations.
This, he went on, is to ensure a good and cordial relationship with the civil populace and host communities.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Chairman / Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Army Post Housing Limited, Major General Tonye Numbere said that the choice of the projects was deliberate not just to affect a large percentage of the population, it was designed to inspire hope with the young and future generation.
He added that a skills acquisition centre was added to the school deliberately so as to teach vocational skills to as many as would access it.
While thanking the COAS for the honour done to him, Major General Numbere used the opportunity to call for the support of Buguma citizens to develop and positively change the architectural landscape of the community.
Earlier, while delivering his welcome remarks, the Executive Chairman of Asari-Toru Local Government Area Council, Honourable Onengiyeofori George thanked the Chief of Army Staff for the honour done the community by the recognition of the contribution of one of their sons in the Nigerian Army.
He described the projects in the areas of education, skills acquisition and health care as critical to the development of any Community.
Highpoint of the ceremony, the statement said, was the commissioning and hand over of the projects to the community, presentation of souvenir and group photographs.
