The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has urged Nigerian Army personnel to remain vigilant, disciplined and committed to their responsibilities amid evolving security challenges across the country.
Shaibu gave the charge on Thursday during the inauguration of newly completed and renovated projects at Adekunle Fajuyi and Letmauck Cantonments in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The projects were designed to improve the welfare and living conditions of military personnel and their families, while strengthening operational effectiveness.
They include two 10-man transit accommodation units for junior personnel, five blocks of 36 Corporals’ and Below Quarters, and two Regimental Sergeants Major’s houses for the 2 Military Intelligence Brigade and 502 Signal Brigade at Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment.
Other facilities inaugurated at Letmauck Cantonment, Mokola, include the 81 Battalion Officers’ Mess, sports facilities and semi-detached three-bedroom quarters for married officers.
Represented by the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda, the Army chief urged personnel to uphold the core values and traditions of the military, particularly discipline, loyalty, integrity, selfless service and professionalism.
He stressed that soldiers must demonstrate the highest standards of conduct, accountability and respect for constituted authority, both within and outside the barracks.
Shaibu also commended the 81 Battalion for its dedication and sacrifices in supporting ongoing military operations aimed at maintaining peace and security within the 2 Division’s Area of Responsibility.
He charged the troops to sustain their commitment to duty, remain alert to emerging threats and discharge their responsibilities with courage and professionalism.
The Army chief further urged the battalion to maintain its operational effectiveness and strengthen collaboration with other security agencies to address security challenges within the division’s area of responsibility.
Speaking on the newly commissioned projects, Shaibu explained that the facilities were equipped with supporting infrastructure to improve their functionality, ensure proper maintenance and enhance the overall welfare of personnel.
He described the projects as more than physical structures, noting that they represented deliberate investments in human capital, which he identified as the Nigerian Army’s most valuable operational asset.
According to him, providing a conducive living environment for officers, soldiers and their families would improve morale, strengthen unit cohesion and enable personnel to remain focused on their constitutional responsibilities.
He therefore urged the beneficiaries to take ownership of the facilities and maintain them properly to ensure they remain in good condition for present and future occupants.
Shaibu warned that poor maintenance could undermine the purpose of the investments, stressing that personnel must be held accountable for the proper management of the newly inaugurated structures.
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The Army chief reaffirmed the military’s commitment to prioritising personnel welfare, improving working conditions and recognising the sacrifices of troops in the defence of the country.
Earlier, the Commander of 42 Engineer Brigade, Brigadier General Uchechukwu Okoroji, said the condition of the structures before their renovation and remodelling had been a major welfare concern.
He noted that personnel welfare and effective administration remained critical to military operations, expressing confidence that the newly completed projects would improve soldiers’ morale and commitment to duty.
Similarly, the Commanding Officer of 81 Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Chiemezie Asogwa, appreciated the Army chief for approving and facilitating the projects.
Asogwa said the interventions demonstrated the Army leadership’s commitment to improving the living and working conditions of personnel and their families in line with its soldiers-first approach.
