By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Nigerian Military has commenced the development of contemporary lodging amenities for about 1,800 personnel in Abuja, as a part of renewed efforts to enhance troop welfare and operational effectiveness.
The Chief of Military Workers (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, carried out the bottom breaking of the mission on Wednesday in Abuja.
He stated the mission was a part of the collective effort to enhance the morale and welfare of officers and troopers.
Shaibu stated the mission got here at a time when the Nigerian military was making renewed efforts to sort out the acute lodging challenges being confronted by personnel throughout the nation.
“As I acknowledged final week throughout the Closing Ceremony of the Chief of Military Workers Annual Convention 2025, all ongoing residential lodging tasks in our barracks will probably be accomplished in good time whereas new ones will probably be initiated.
“Additionally, as a stopgap measure to straight handle the present dearth of lodging, I not too long ago accredited the development of 2-units of 30-Household blocks in every of the Nigerian Military Divisions.
“That is along with ongoing renovation works throughout Nigerian Military formations and models.
“Nevertheless, we recognise that renovation alone can not sufficiently meet the housing wants of our personnel.
“Consequently, this ground-breaking ceremony we’re witnessing immediately is a wholly new barracks, distinct from Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks Part 1 which was commissioned by Mr President on 23 January 2025,” he stated.
The COAS stated the transfer displays a strategic shift from short-term intervention to a sustainable long-term strategy in addressing lodging wants.
In response to him, this initiative can be central to “Soldier First Idea”, which seeks to intentionally prioritise the welfare and residing situations of our officers and troopers.
“It’s value reiterating that my soldier first idea is premised on the understanding that operational success is straight linked to the extent of care and help offered to these entrusted with the defence of our beloved nation,” he added.
The military chief thanked Bola Tinubu, for his unflinching help and immediate intervention in direction of the availability of first rate and dignified housing for personnel.
In response to him, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks Part II has been designed with the longer term operational surroundings in thoughts.
“As ongoing operations obtain desired outcomes and we begin a phased draw down of troops from operational areas, this barracks, when accomplished, will present the capability to accommodate returning personnel and their households in a safe and dignified surroundings.
“Past addressing our lodging wants, this barracks will improve unit cohesion and strengthen our total power posture.
“It due to this fact represents a strategic enabler of operational sustainability and power readiness,” he stated.
The Coordinator, Military Particular Providers and Programmes, Maj.-Gen. Bayode Adetoro, stated the mission adopted the profitable completion of Part I, which gives housing for 614 personnel and was commissioned on Jan. 23, by President Bola Tinubu.
Adetoro stated the Part II mission aligned with the Chief of Military Workers’s soldier-first command philosophy, which prioritises welfare initiatives reminiscent of housing, healthcare, training, household help and post-service reintegration to maintain morale and loyalty throughout the power. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Yakubu Uba
