The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas has urged community leaders and other stakeholders to support efforts that strengthen civil-military cooperation.

Abbas made the call at the inauguration of an 80 seater town hall and 500KVA transformer in Umukoro Lowa Uboma community, in Ihitte-Uboma council area of Imo State constructed and donated by the Director Weapon Electrical Engineering, Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Michael Igwe, an indigene of the area.

The Naval boss said civil-military cooperation “encompasses those activities and interactions between the military and civil society towards the accomplishment of military missions and strategic objectives.”

Speaking on the projects, Abbas, represented by the Chief of Naval Transformation and Innovation, Rear Adm. Chijioke Onyemaobi, said, “the initiative is part of the Navy’s Special Quick Impact Project launched in 2024, which aims to honour accomplished senior officers through impactful community development,” he said.

Abbas, who emphasised that the project aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, commended Igwe for the humanitarian gesture and appealed for more from others.

He also urged the community to use the facilities responsibly and maintain strong collaboration with security agencies to effectively eliminate threats and enhance collective national well-being.

In his remarks, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, commended President Bola Tinubu’s transformational leadership and support to the Armed Forces, enabling them to discharge their constitutional responsibilities.

Uzodimma, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs Chinyere Ekomaru, also commended the leadership of the Navy and Igwe for the laudable intervention.

“This gesture reflects a deep commitment to the community, their development, national unity and improved standard of living,” the governor said.

He expressed pride in Igwe’s “meritorious” service to the community and the nation, urging the beneficiaries to take ownership by protecting and maintaining the facilities.

“As a government, we remain committed to partnering with the Armed Forces and all stakeholders to build stronger, safer and prosperous communities across Imo,” Uzodimma said.

Earlier in a welcome speech, Igwe said that the interventions directly resolved critical hardships long faced by the Umuokoro and Umunzeduru communities.

“The community has not had electricity supply in the past three and half years due to a faulty transformer that was beyond repairs,” Igwe explained.

He said the brand new 500KVA transformer was installed and activated two months ago, restoring power to the rural populace and its surrounding environs.

“Additionally, the project delivered a fully furnished, 80-person capacity Town Hall featuring male and female toilets, replacing a completely dilapidated structure built in the 1970s.

“This historic project underscores the commitment of the Nigerian Navy in strengthening Civil-Military Cooperation between the Navy and the civil populace,” Igwe said.

He thanked Abbas, for providing the funding, exceptional leadership, and vision to complete the infrastructure in quick time.

A community leader in the area, Chief Collins Nwachukwu, expressed delight over the gesture, urging the State and Federal Governments, as well as spirited individuals to rescue the area from erosion and absence of road network.