The Chief of Army Staff COAS, Lieutenant. General Waidi Shaibu, on Sunday commissioned several social infrastructure projects provided by the Nigerian Army as part of efforts to strengthen the Army’s Civil Military Cooperation with the civilian populace.
The projects, which cut across about five local government of Rivers State included renovation of school blocks, town halls and provision of solar powered boreholes as well as medical outreach at Degema, Khana, Obio/Akpor, Okrika and Oyigbo local government areas.
The Civil Military Cooperation CIMIC projects were executed as part of activities marking the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL).
At Ndoki, Oyigbo local government area during the commissioning of the Mgboji Town Hall and borehole, Lt. Gen Shaibu stated that the ceremony provided Nigerian Army with another opportunity to foster public support, enhance cooperation and promote development with the people of Oyigbo local government area.
He added that besides the town hall renovation the Army also renovated community secondary schools Rumuomasi, in Obio/Akpo and Khana local government areas as well as the commissioning of the solar powered borehole at Degema local government area.
The COAS said; “As an army we cannot set aside the indispensable roles played by people in the pursuit of national security objectives in our joint multifaceted and dynamic security environment.
“This understanding will inform the essence of our non-kinetic operations on which these civil military operation projects remain cornerstone of our efforts in this regard.
“To this end, the Nigerian Army has commissioned over 250 intervention projects across the six geopolitical zones of the country, which includes the construction and rehabilitation of hospitals, schools, community town halls, laboratories and roads as well as provision of solar lighting systems, boreholes and ict facilities.
“These projects are designed to compliment existing infrastructure provided by the government”.
The COAS who was represented by Major General Abubakar Wase, General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Kaduna, commended the people for their remarkable turnout for the event saying it was a reflection of their solidarity with the Nigerian Army.
“This demonstrates a common understanding and awareness of the significance of the project and speaks of your unwaivering support in enabling the Nigerian Army to fulfill its social responsibilities”, the COAS stated.
He said the motivation for carrying out the projects was to promote an enabling environment for community dialogue and discussion for rural development for the children and the entire community adding that it would go a long way in augumenting government efforts at providing harmonious and conducive environment for the people of Oyigbo local government area and neighbouring communities.
He expressed gratitude to the Rivers state government for their support of the Nigerian Army and assured that under his leadership, Nigerian Army would remain committed to pursue both kinetic and non-kinetic lines of operations.
“We will continue to cooperate with other security and intelligence agencies to ensure and secure an enabling environment for socio-economic development.
He also acknowledged and commended President Bola Tinubu without whose support, he said Nigerian Army would not have been able to discharge its responsibilities as effectively as it had.
The people of Ndoki through their leaders, Paramount Ruler, Douglas Kingsley, Youth Leader, John Nduka and Women Leader, Doris Elems Nnawowo expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Army for the project and pledged their continued cooperation and support to the Army.
