By Augustine Ehikioya
Providing conducive working environment, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoored Lagbaja, on Friday 22 March, 2024, commissioned the newly constructed Headquarters Nigerian Army Finance Corps (NAFC) office complex.
The complex marked a significant milestone in the infrastructural development of the Nigerian Army.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the COAS who was also the Special Guest of Honour (SGOH) at the event, emphasized the importance of a conducive working environment for enhanced productivity and the overall well-being of employees.
The Army Chief, in a statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Major General, Onyema Nwachukwu, stated that the Corps has witnessed various transformations since 1964, when it was first commanded by indigenous Nigerian Army (NA) officers; noting that since then, the Corps has made tremendous contributions to entrenching professionalism through policy formulations, re-structuring of manpower and specialized training of its personnel.
The SGOH said the NA has supported the corps in the areas of infrastructural development in housing and office accommodation among others.
He stressed that the new finance corps office complex is one of the projects undertaken to improve the working conditions of personnel of the corps and enhance their productivity and service delivery to the NA.
Elucidating further, the COAS pointed out, that with the occupation of the new facility, the corps will add more value to the NA while expressing his appreciation to the former COAS, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, for approving the construction of the legacy project and witnessing the inauguration.
The COAS highlighted some of the modest achievements of the NA since his assumption of command, noting that there are ongoing efforts to improve leadership quality across board, enhance the operational effectiveness of the NA, providing sound administration for troops and their families.
To compliment efforts of past leadership, he said, the NA has procured additional combat enablers for operations, embarked on several infrastructural projects and troops’ welfare and that of their families.
Lieutenant General Lagbaja commended the Finance Corps for their commitment to judiciously managing NA resources and project supervision team for the timely execution of the project.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his steadfast support of the NA.
He also pledged the NA’s unalloyed commitment to democracy and rule of law.
In his remarks, the Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army), Major General Adetokunbo Fayemiwo stated that NA Finance Corps office complex has become necessary to effectively discharge its functions and provide staffing for optimal performance.
He said today, the Corps has expanded its responsibility for budgeting, accounting, auditing and financial management of all NA funds.
Major General Fayemiwo extolled the pragmatic leadership and guidance of the COAS to the Corps, adding that painstaking efforts were put in place to ensure the edifice served its purpose.
He affirmed that the personnel of the Finance Corps are motivated and pledged the unalloyed loyalty of the Corps to the NA.
The newly inaugurated building is equipped with state-of-the art facilities, including offices, conference room, car park, close circuit cameras, intercommunication, a sick bay among several other facilities.
The commissioning ceremony had in attendance the former COAS, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, former Corps commanders cum founding fathers of NA Finance Corps, Principal Staff officers from Defence and Services Headquarters, Director Generals and Group Managing Directors, Commandant of NA Schools of Finance and Administration, serving and retired senior officers of NA Finance Corps, among others.
