On Friday, October 4, 2024, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, commissioned a block of three classrooms and a staff office at St Francis College, Otukpo, Benue State.
Represented by the Commander of the 4 Special Forces Command, Major General HE Nzan, the event coincided with the school’s 80th anniversary celebration.
The event was graced by the Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Major General Nosakhare Ugbo, alongside other senior officers of the Nigerian Army (NA), the Education Secretary of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Rev Fr Dr Francis Atama, the school’s principal, members of the School Old Boys Association, students, and well-wishers from Otukpo and neighboring communities.
In his remarks, the COAS emphasized that the intervention project was aimed at garnering community support and strengthening civil-military relations.
He explained that the Nigerian Army undertakes such initiatives across the nation to complement government efforts at all levels in providing essential infrastructure and services, alongside contributions from other well-meaning individuals and organizations.
The COAS further encouraged the beneficiaries to utilize the facilities effectively and ensure their proper maintenance.
Lieutenant General Lagbaja reaffirmed the NA’s commitment to conducting both kinetic and non-kinetic operations to address the country’s multifaceted security challenges.
He also expressed gratitude to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces for his continued support and provision of the necessary logistics, and he reassured Nigerians of the unwavering loyalty of the NA to both the President and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The project executor, Major General AM Alechenu who is a director at Department of Operations Army Headquarters expressed his gratitude to the COAS for providing the logistical support that saw to the completion of the project .
