Enugu, Nigeria – Gov. Peter Mbah says Nigerian Army’s dedication to service remains instrumental to reduction in incidents of insecurity to lives and property in Enugu State.
Mbah, represented by his Deputy, Mr Ifeanyi Ossai, said this on Friday during the inauguration of the renovated one-storey building with 10 blocks of classrooms, a new computer hall, library and seats and desks at Community Secondary School, Mbu, in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area (LGA).
The inaugurated project is part of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Special Civil-Military Intervention Projects meant for communities of top army personnel who had served the country with dedication and sacrifice.
Mbah noted that since the COAS deployed the current General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, insecurity generally had continued to decline and “our people are better for it”.
The governor appreciated the COAS, Commanders and troops for their commitment to keep the country safe, especially Enugu State, adding that “the Nigerian Army remains the pride of the country”.
“The government is grateful to Army’s numerous humanitarian services in the state in terms of education, health and provision of other social services meant to improve the welfare and lives of our people.
“We also thank the COAS for the renovated one-storey, 10 blocks of classrooms with a functional computer hall and other amenities at Community Secondary School, Mbu as well as other projects executed in the state,” he said.
Mbah called on the community to protect the project jealously as they continue to support government programmes, adding: “The students of this school should continue to be good ambassadors of the school, community and state.”
Earlier, the COAS, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, lauded the people of Isi-Uzo council area and Enugu State for their relentless support leading to the successes recorded by the Nigerian Army in its operations and humanitarian impact projects.
Lagbaja, represented by Maj.-Gen. Dada, encouraged the people of Enugu State to continue to support the Nigerian Army and have their people recruited by the Nigerian Army at different levels “to serve our great country”.
He explained that the COAS Special Intervention Project was meant to improve civil-military relations and bring relief and succour to host communities as well as connect serving top officers to development within their communities of origin.
“I laud the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Tinubu, for supporting Nigerian Army’s operations, projects and programmes.
“The community should make judicious use of the project and all facilities provided to uplift education and human dignity as well as maintain and protect the facilities to last long for generations of students,” he said.
The Project Executor, Maj.-Gen. Jonathan Ugwuoke, commended the COAS for approving and funding the impactful project for educational advancement of students of the community and lifting the financial burden of renovating the school off the people.
Ugwuoke, who is the Commander, Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, said: “I sincerely appreciate the COAS and the Nigerian Army for the honour done to my community, the good people of Mbu and myself.
“My community today feels the warm impact of the Nigerian Army through renovating the one-storey 10 blocks of classrooms, which is the first historical storey building in the entire old Isi-Uzo council area.”
Prof. Festus Agbo, the President-General of the community, thanked the Nigerian Army, COAS, GOC and their son, Maj.-Gen. Ugwuoke for making the project a reality, while pledging the community’s commitment to protect the school and its facilities.
“The Nigerian Army has taken away misery from our pockets and I assure you that we will strictly protect the school and its facilities,” Agbo said.
Master Sunday Mbah, the Senior Prefect of the school, thanked the Nigerian Army for the gesture, adding that the renovated and fully equipped building had uplifted the landscape and dignity of the school.
“Previously, the roof of the building was leaking; doors and windows blown off by wind storm and the foundation of the building threatened by erosion as well. However, today the story has changed for the better,” Mbah declared.
