Host communities have been urged to ensure adequate maintenance is provided to the Quick Impact Projects executed in their communities. This statement was made on 15 May 2023 by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya during the commissioning and handover ceremony of the newly constructed and equipped Obarenren Primary Healthcare Centre at Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State executed in honour of Maj Gen DIO Ehiorobo, Senior Resource Fellow, at Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja.

The COAS in his remarks, stated that Nigeria is facing a lot of security challenges that has affected almost every segment of the society and the Nigerian Army is not resting on its oars to confront these challenges. He said some of these challenges will requires a comprehensive approach and support of the civil populace; he affirmed that every Nigerian has a role to play in addressing the security challenges the country is faced with. He further commended the good people of Obarenren and Edo State for always supporting the Nigerian Army in its operations. He averred that the Nigerian Army in recent time embarked on elaborate quick impact projects in several communities across the country with a view to providing the desired succor in areas of need and to further strengthen the existing relationship with the host communities. This has significantly complemented the Nigerian Army’s effort at containing the multifaceted security challenges facing the nation; particularly through non-Kinetic approach.

The Chief of Army Staff Special Intervention Civil-Military Projects was introduced to provide support to communities of serving Nigerian Army senior officers across the nation whom through service and dedication to duty have risen to the enviable rank of Major General in the Nigerian Army. The projects are to complement already existing basic services, amenities and infrastructures provided by the state in these communities. Some of the projects already executed across the country so far include; construction and rehabilitation of Hospitals and Schools, construction of Communities and Town halls, sinking of Boreholes amongst others.

Likewise in his own address, the Executive Governor of Edo State, Mr Gdowin Obaseki ably represented by Dr Edemudia the Director of Edo Primary Healthcare Agency thanked the COAS for honouring Maj Gen DIO Ehiorobo, a son of the Community by constructing and equipping the healthcare centre in his name. He assured the community that adequate staff would be posted to man the newly constructed Healthcare in the coming weeks.

In his welcome remarks, Maj Gen DIO Ehiorobo stated that choice of a Healthcare centre was made by the community; realizing its importance to good health and wellbeing of the people and those of their neighbours. He said it is believed that the facility would provide the needed services to the most medically vulnerable populations in Obarenren community and its environs through preventive and curative healthcare services.

Highpoints at the occasion included the unveiling of the commissioning plaque, the cutting of the commissioning tape, presentation of souvenirs and cultural display.

Important dignitaries that graced the occasion include; the Commander Training and Doctrine Command Maj Gen SO Olabanji, Principal Staff Officers from the Army Headquarters, Corps Commander Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport Maj Gen E Akerejola, General Officer Commanding 2 Division Maj Gen MT Usman, Director Edo State Primary Healthcare Dr Edemudia, Head of Local Government Administration Ovia North East, the Odionwere of Obarenren Community.

count | 76

Chief of Army Staff Urges Host Communities to Maintain Quick Impact Projects Executed in Their Communities