The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has pledged to address the welfare challenges faced by soldiers, assuring that their needs and those of their families will be adequately catered for.
He gave the assurance during a three-day working visit to the 6 Division Area of Responsibility (AOR), Nigerian Army Headquarters, Port Harcourt, where he assessed the needs of troops and promised that no soldier or family member would be neglected.
During the visit, the COAS commissioned several projects initiated and executed by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, and other subordinate commanders. At the Port Harcourt Barracks, he inaugurated the Headquarters 6 Division Office Complex Extension and the Python Harmony Centre.
Additionally, he commissioned projects executed by the 6 Division Garrison under the leadership of Brigadier General S. Ahmed. These included two newly constructed 10-family Corporal and Below Quarters (CBQs), seven remodelled CBQs, a remodelled Cantonment Office, and a new Petroleum Oil Lubricant Point. He also commissioned 29 Battalion’s remodelled Quarter Guard and 10 CBQs, among other projects.
In 16 Brigade, Bayelsa State, the COAS commissioned the newly built 16 Brigade Annexe Complex, executed by Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Oluremi Obolo. He commended the Nigerian Army for its robust civil-military relations in the state and pledged continued support for the army in fulfilling its constitutional mandate.
The Army Chief also addressed troops at the 29 Battalion Parade Ground in Port Harcourt and the 6 Battalion Parade Ground in Ibagwa, Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. He praised their resilience and commitment in ongoing anti-oil theft and pipeline vandalism operations, assuring them that their welfare remained a top priority under his “soldier first” concept.
Oluyede said: “I am in the 6 Division area of responsibility primarily to assess the operational readiness of the division, as well as examine the level of my soldiers’ welfare, because I am very particular about the well-being of my soldiers and their families.
“I have gone round the division and I know their challenges. I am going to address those challenges within the ambit of resources available to me as the leader of the army because I promised my soldiers that I would do my very best, with support from the federal government, to make life better for them.
“That is why I came here and I think my purpose has been achieved.”
The COAS also commissioned an electrification project undertaken by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as part of its corporate social responsibility. He further unveiled a Garrison House built by Lieutenant Colonel Sheriff Kaigama, in addition to the remodelled 5 Battalion Quarter Guard, the remodelled 343 Artillery Regiment Commanding Officer’s House, a newly installed transformer, and performed the groundbreaking for the construction of 20 units of two-bedroom flats for Senior Non-Commissioned Officers at Elele Barracks.
According to the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, the COAS also inspected the newly remodelled and fully renovated Medical Reception Station at Wellington Barracks and Ibagwa Barracks, Akwa Ibom State.
As part of his strategic leadership engagement, Oluyede paid a courtesy visit to Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State at Government House, Uyo. During the visit, he stressed that the Nigerian Army belongs to all Nigerians and commended the state government for its consistent support, which he said has made Akwa Ibom one of the most peaceful states in the country.
Oluyede explained that his visit to Akwa Ibom, one of the states under the 6 Division AOR, was part of his operational tour.
In his response, Governor Eno lauded the Nigerian Army for its contributions to peace, security, and development in the state, particularly the collaboration between Akwa Ibom and the army through the Commander 2 Brigade, Brigadier General Alex Tawasimi.
