By Samuel Ike, Abuja

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to enhancing operational readiness and improving the welfare of personnel through strategic investments in mobility and welfare infrastructure.Speaking during the inauguration of refurbished operational vehicles and the renovated Soldiers’ Club, popularly known as the Nightingale Club, at the Nigerian Army Women Command (NAWC), Giri, Abuja, the COAS said the initiatives were aimed at boosting operational efficiency and improving the well being of troops.Represented by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, Shaibu noted that operational vehicles remain indispensable assets for the timely movement of personnel, equipment and logistics during military assignments. He said the refurbishment of the vehicles would significantly improve the command’s capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to operational demands.According to him, mobility remains a critical pillar of military effectiveness, particularly in supporting troops engaged in various operations across the country. He urged personnel entrusted with the vehicles to ensure proper maintenance, responsible use and strict compliance with existing regulations governing government assets.The Army Chief also highlighted the importance of personnel welfare, stressing that the strength of any military institution depends not only on its equipment but also on the morale, unity and welfare of its personnel. He explained that the renovated Soldiers’ Club would provide a conducive environment for relaxation, recreation and social interaction among officers, soldiers and their families.Shaibu further charged the command to sustain a culture of accountability, discipline and prudent resource management, while commending the leadership and personnel of the Nigerian Army Women Command for successfully executing the projects. He described the achievements as evidence of effective leadership and collective commitment to the goals of the Nigerian Army.Earlier, the Commander of the Nigerian Army Women Command, Brigadier General Mohammed Adamu, said the refurbishment of the vehicles aligned with the COAS Command Philosophy of maintaining a highly prepared and responsive force. She noted that the command must remain capable of mobilising and deploying personnel at short notice whenever required for operational duties.Adamu recalled that in April 2026, the command swiftly deployed a company of troops to Plateau State following emerging security challenges, attributing the successful deployment to the availability of operational vehicles and other critical enablers. She said the experience underscored the need to keep operational assets in serviceable condition at all times.The commander disclosed that four coaster buses, previously grounded due to poor condition, had been fully refurbished and returned to service to enhance the command’s operational mobility and deployment capacity.She added that the renovation of the Soldiers’ Club was undertaken in line with the Nigerian Army’s Soldiers First Concept, which places the welfare and well being of personnel at the centre of command responsibilities. According to her, the facility had previously suffered from inadequate lighting and poor sanitary conditions, limiting its usefulness to personnel.Adamu explained that the upgraded facility now provides a more comfortable environment for relaxation, social engagement and hosting visitors, thereby contributing to the overall welfare and morale of soldiers.“Any initiative undertaken under the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff that does not prioritise the welfare of soldiers is inconsistent with the Soldiers First Concept,” she said.She therefore urged commanders at all levels to continue prioritising the welfare of troops, noting that motivated and well supported personnel are better equipped to carry out their responsibilities effectively and contribute to the success of military operations.