Army not about shooting, it also cares for people’s needs – Gen Ajunwa
. As COAS inaugurates projects in Abia
Stephen Ukandu Umuahia
Director General, Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Major Gen. Obinna Ajunwa, has said that the Nigerian Army is not all about shooting, but also provides for the needs of the people.
The former General Officer Commanding GOC 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, made the remarks Friday during the inuaguration of projects he attracted in his Ekeoba-Oriendu Autonomous Community in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State.
COAS, Lt. Gen. T. A Lagbaja, flanked by the Deputy Governor of Abia State (wearing hart); Senator Austin Akobundu (2nd left); former COAS, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (3rd left); Rep. Obi Aguocha (1st left); among other top Army Officers at the inauguration of a cottage hospital at Oriendu Autonomous Community Umuahia, Abia State.
He thanked the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt. Gen. TA Lagbaja, for encouraging senior officers to come up with quick-impact projects that would help touch lives in their communities.
He also thanked the COAS for approving funds for the projects which he said, would have tremendous positive impacts on the lives of his people.
The projects included a cottage hospital, a multi-purpose hall, water borehole, and electricity transformer.
Speaking at the colourful event massively attended by both serving and retired military top brass, the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt. Gen. Lagbaja, said the projects which were among civil -military cooperation projects were meant to enhance civil military relationship.
The Army chief restated the readiness of the Nigerian Army to promote cordial relationship between the military and the civilian population.
He commended Major Gen Ajunwa for his commitment and dedication to service, while urging the benefiting communities to help protect the facilities.
In his remarks, Gov. Alex Otti thanked the Nigerian Army for the gesture which he said would complement the social and infrastructural development efforts of Government.
Otti who was represented by his Deputy, Engineer Ikechukwu Emetu, said the gesture was evidence of cordial relationship between the Army and the state.
The Governor who said the State Government would continue to partner the Army and other security agencies, commended the Nigerian Army for its efforts in securing the state.
He noted that the Army is meant to be only concerned with external security but the peculiar security situation in the country had made their engagement in internal security imperative.
Otti expressed delight over the significant improvement in security across Abia State, and commended the Army and other security agencies for their resilience.
” Socio-commercial activities have increased in Abia because of the improved security surveillance in the state since we launched Operation Crush last year”, Otti declared, adding that investors are now coming to the state.
The Governor urged the people to assist in safeguarding the facilities to avoid vandalism.
Speaking also, Senator Austin Akobundu representing Abia Central, commended the COAS for the intervention, saying the projects would help improve the lives of the people in the community.
He said: ” Health is key especially in a rural Community like this. This hospital will help alleviate health challenges of the people. I’m very elated about this intervention”
Senator Akobundu described Lt. Gen. Lagbaj as an exceptional military officer.
” The COAS is a very good officer, and Nigeria needs somebody like him at this time”, he added.
He said Gen Lagbaja had raised the bar and elevated the standard of service in the Army, adding that the Senate is pleased with the operational standards set by the COAS and other service chiefs.
Senate Akobundu (a retired Colonel), also commended Gen. Ajunwa for helping to improve the quality of lives in his community.
Speaking also, the Chief of Civil Military Military Affairs, Major Gen. NC Ugbo, said the projects were part of the Nigerian Army’s non-kinetic drive towards addressing the multi-faceted security challenges bedeviling the country.
He noted that the Army had continued to impact positively on various communities through civil-military cooperation projects.
Major Gen. Ugbo explained that the Chief of Army Special Civil-Military Cooperation Projects, were designed to cement the existing cordial relationship between the Army and the civilian population.
He said that the projects would help to address some critical needs of the people in the benefiting communities, and help support socio-economic developments.
Major Gen. Ugbo expressed hope that the projects would enhance the general livelihood and wellbeing of the affected communities.
He thanked the COAS for his continued support to the Department of Civil-Military Affairs which coordinates the non-kinetic operations of the Army across the country.
He, therefore, urged the benefiting communities to help maintain and protect the facilities for durability.
In a remark, member representing Ikwuano Umuahia federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon Obi Aguocha, commended Gen. Ajunwa for attracting the projects.
He thanked the Nigerian Army for the initiative, and solicited more interventions.
The traditional ruler of the Community, HRH Eze Philp Ajomuiwe, expressed joy over the interventionist projects which he said would help to improve on the lives of his subjects.
He thanked the Nigerian Army for the intervention, describing Gen. Ajunwa as an illustrious son of the community.
The monarch said Gen. Ajunwa had greatly impacted on lives of the people and prayed God to bless and keep him
Present at the event also were the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division Enugu, Major Gen. Hassan Dada; Commander 14 Brigade Ohafia Brig. Gen. Diya; former COAS Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, among others.
