By Augustine Ehikioya
For optimal services, the Nigerian Army has expressed resolve to improve management of its welfare investments towards effective service delivery.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja made the remark on Thursday 28 September, 2023 at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja during the Annual Command Guest House Stakeholders Conference organised by the Department of Special Services and Programmes.
The COAS, was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army) Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim.
In a statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General, Onyema Nwachukwu, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA), COAS noted that the Conference themed “Effective Management of the Nigerian Army Hospitality oufits as a Panacea for Enhanced Service Delivery” is aimed at providing appropriate platforms for interaction amongst the management of Command Guest houses, stakeholders, operators and relevant professionals in the hospitality industry.
He emphasized, that the need to efficiently coordinate and profitably manage all NA Welfare Investments is “critical to their development and sustainability, adding that the Department of Special Services and Programmes has been undertaking initiatives geared towards repositioning Command Guest Houses for effective productivity, in order to achieve desired goals.”
The COAS stated that the theme of the conference aptly reflects the set objectives for the establishment of Command Guest Houses.
According to him, the rationale for establishing Nigerian Army Command Guest Houses emanated from the need to provide secure, affordable and reliable accommodation, as part of efforts to cater for the welfare needs of NA personnel, members of the Armed Forces.
He revealed that the investment has equally generated employment opportunities for the public.
The Army Chief pointed out, that the facilities have continued to offer top notch services to guests in terms of accommodation, recreation and entertainment support to end users.
The COAS explained further that since his assumption of Command, ample attention has been accorded the rehabilitation and improvement of NA infrastructures in various Barracks, offices and institutions, to provide conducive living and working environment for personnel, in pursuit of the fulfillment of one of the pillars of his Command Philosophy, “Sound Administration”.
He stated that staff of the NA Command Guests Houses were currently undergoing internship programmes to enhance their managerial skills.
Addressing the participants, the Chief of Special Services and Programmes (CSSP), Major General Henry Wesley, said that the Department has remained focused on improving and repositioning Command Guest Houses for enhanced service delivery and viability.
The Conference had in attendance, Representative of Director General, Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Major General Sanusi Dahiru, General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander Operation Safe Haven, Major General Abdulsalami Abubarkar,
Heads of Nigerian Army Establishments, Principal Staff Officers from Army Headquarters, Representatives of Command Guest Houses Management across the country, General Managers, Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers in the hospitality Industry, among others, attended the function.
