The Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, was at Itesiwaju Community in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Tuesday 26 November, 2024 to commission twin blocks of class rooms and offices for Itesiwaju Community Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) Primary School, Idi – Igba Were, Akerebiata, Ilorin. The Project, which also include; installation of sola lights, construction of restroom facilities, desks and chairs, are amongst several Nigerian Army (NA) Special Intervention Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Projects sponsored by the COAS, and executed across Nigeria.

In his remarks, the Acting COAS, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division NA, Major General Obinna Onubogu, stated that the NA recognizes the importance of the people as essential partners in progress; appreciating its great influence through non – kinetic operations. He said that the scheme is one of many initiatives of the NA, aimed at gaining the support and cooperation of the people towards achieving good results in its activities. He appreciated the good people of Ilorin and the entire Kwara State for their unwavering support to the NA.

Speaking further, the Acting Army Chief, described the scheme as designed to draw development to communities of NA senior officers who through their selfless service to the nation, rose to the enviable rank of Major Generals. “The initiative is also geared towards fostering and improving Civil – Military Relations. Thus, the projects executed by these Generals on behalf of the NA are carefully selected and executed so as to improve the well – being of people in their communities”, he said. He also noted that the NA has commissioned well over 250 similar CIMIC projects across the 6 geopolitical zones in Nigeria. He expressed optimism that the amenities provided at Itesiwaju Community School would create supportive and conducive environment to deliver quality education to children and guide them towards achieving success in their endeavours.

He appreciated the project executor, Major General Bamidele Alabi, for the exceptionally quality work he did for the community, while thanking the school management, community leaders, and the entire community for the support given to him during the different stages of the project. He charged them to ensure good maintenance and maximum use of the facilities.

General Oluyede, promised that the NA will continue to collaborate with other security agencies to deal with security challenges bedeviling Nigeria through kinetic and non – kinetic lines of operations. He thanked the President, Commander – in – Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for his unflinching strategic guidance and invaluable support to the NA, reassuring Nigerians of unwavering loyalty of officers and soldiers to the President, the nation, and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Chief of Civil Military Affairs (CCMA) – Army, Major General Nosakhare Ugbo, who also made remarks during the event, stated that “the commissioning ceremony, provides a platform to showcase that aspect of the NA’s non – kinetic operations intended to strengthen engagement with communities, boost awareness of Nigerian Army activities, and build a culture of natural trust and cooperation essential for our collective security and prosperity”, General Ugbo, further expressed confidence that the project would provide the targeted beneficiaries with quality education in a conducive learning environment, and empower them to compete with their peers globally and as well, contribute to building the desired Nigeria. He appreciated Major General Alabi for the good job, attributing the high standards to his unrelenting passion to bring development to his community and beyond. He urged students, teachers of Itesiwaju LGEA Primary School, and the entire community to make judicious use of the facilities provided.

The Executive Governor of Kwara State, His Excellency, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, CON, was represented by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Security, Alhaji Muyideen Aliyu. While appreciating the project executor, he thanked the COAS and the entire NA for the project, and also for sustaining the security of the entire nation.

Earlier in his welcome address, the project executor, Major General Bamidele Alabi, described the project as laudable, saying it was an honour for him to have executed it for the benefit of the school and entire Itesiwaju Community. He welcomed the representative of the Special Guest of Honour (SGoH), thanking the Acting COAS for the initiative and for considering him worthy for the project. He also appreciated the representative of the Governor, and all dignitaries who graced the occasion. “The NA has continued to play pivotal role in ensuring peace and security for economic development to thrive in our beloved country. This initiative therefore serves as a humble reminder that the NA is for the people and will also support developments that will improve the well – being of Nigerians”, General Alabi said. He further appreciated the CCMA, for his immense support and for sustaining efforts towards spreading NA’s Special Intervention CIMIC Projects across the entire nation.

General Alabi, also expressed gratitude to the Governor for his good works towards growth, development, peace and security of Kwara, while thanking the Emir of Ilorin, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Sulu gambari CFR, for his exemplary leadership and continuous drive towards attracting progress to Ilorin and Kwara State as a whole. He charged the staff and pupils of Itesiwaju Community LGEA Primary School, and the entire community to take ownership of the school and ensure the facilities provided are put in good use and well maintained.

The historic event witnessed several Government Officials, Royal Fathers and other Dignitaries who took turns to deliver goodwill messages in appreciation of the NA for sponsoring the CIMIC project in Itesiwaju as well as others across the nation. There were cultural displays, commissioning of the project, tour of facilities, and presentation of souvenirs as highpoints of the event.