From Godwin Agia, Jalingo
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja on Friday commissioned Special Intervention Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Projects at Jen community in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Lagbaja disclosed at the projects site that the initiative was to provide support in communities where the Nigeria Army officers offer services for the country and in the process rise to higher ranks.
This intervention is aimed at enhancing the quality of life of Nigeria citizens in the concerned areas.
The Army Chief stated this during the combined commissioning of the intervention projects christened, Major General Boniface Robert Sinjen Sports and Cultural Centre, and Major General Henry Tafida Wesley Multipurpose Centrer respectively.
Commissioning the projects, Gen Lagbaja lauded the remarkable contributions and dedication to service of Major Generals Boniface Sinjen and Henry Wesley, two sons of the Jen Community, who executed the projects as a way of giving back to their community.
“I am here today to celebrate two senior officers of the Nigeria army, Major Generals Boniface Sinjen and Henry Wesley, and I thank governor Agbu Kefas for not only coming to identify with his primary constituency, but also coming with the high powered delegation from the state.
“The two senior officers in Nigeria Army, we are here to honour you today, because you have made a remarkable achievements in the Nigeria army through your over three decades of discipline, diligence and dedicated service within and outside the shores of our beloved country.
“Your years of unblemished services both locally and internationally is admired, and it is in recognition of their contributions that we have gathered here today, to commission a couple of Chief of Army Staff’s Special Intervention Civil-Military Cooperation Projects.
“Nigerian Army sees the people of Nigeria as critical partners in progress. This consciousness is a crucial factor in sustaining the yearning of the Chief of Army Staff Special Intervention Civil-Military Cooperation Projects under our Civil-Military Cooperation line of efforts.
“Our projects are always conceptualized and executed to compliment the government effort in providing top-notch basic amenities and infrastructure for the people of Nigeria.
“Nigeria Army is not out to compete with any level of government, political or socio-cultural entity and also the idea of our projects is not to give any undue political advantage to our senior officers but rather to compliment the government and communities efforts at enhancing the quality of life of our people”, he said.
The Army Chief, while appreciating the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continuous support, urged the benefiting communities to safeguard the projects for the purpose they are meant for.
In his address, the Chief of Operations, Major General Boniface Sinjen stated that the project was part of the COAS Special Intervention Civil- Military Cooperation Project, approved and funded by the COAS to give succour to communities in need.
He said that the act of benevolence over the years, have helped galvanize the needed support from citizens, as force multipliers for troops combating insecurity in troubled parts of the country, noting that the center is expected to nurture and cultivate athletes, empowering them to represent Jen community at both the state and the national levels.
Speaking at the occasion, Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas lauded the Chief of Army Staff’s initiative, stressing that the projects would go a long way to cement civil-military relationship.
“These products are the initiative of the Chief of Army Staff to add value to the community and to carryout special responsibility in order to encourage military and civilians relationship in combating insecurity in our country.
“I want to use this opportunity and thank the Chief of Army Staff for the confidence he reposed on our sons in Taraba, last year, most of our sons benefited from the last promotion, one major general was promoted in recognition and the love the Chief of Army Staff has for us in Taraba.
“I want to assure the people of Karim-Lamido that my administration will give special attention to Karim-Lamido local government, before my next campaign, I believe that the road from Jalingo to Karim-Lamido would have been finished”, he said.
Our correspondent reports that, the two projects, sponsored by the office of the COAS, are a Sports and Cultural Center, as well as a Multi-Purpose Center.
The Sports and Cultural Centre named after Major General Boniface Robert Sinjen, has a standard Basketball and Volleyball courts, Football pitch, with two pavilions of 500 seating capacity, as well as a Museum and a Conference hall with offices.
The other is Major General Henry Tafida Wesley Multipurpose Centrer.
