13 hours ago
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GOC, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Jamal Abdussalam
The General Officer Commanding the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major-General Jamal Abdussalam, has said the Nigerian Army remains committed to the welfare of soldiers.
This was as he called on commanders at all levels to prioritize the welfare of their personnel and their families.
Major-General Abdussalam stated this when he commissioned several projects at the 343 Artillery Regiment, Elele Barracks in Rivers State, executed by the Commanding Officer, 343 AR, Lieutenant Colonel Edward Kaan.
The GOC emphasized that most of the projects inaugurated have a direct impact on the lives of the troops and their families, noting that before the renovation work was undertaken, the occupants were paired to make use of some facilities.
He expressed happiness that with the complete remodelling, each room has its facility, which in his words makes it dignifying.
Some of the projects commissioned were a 200-metre concrete road linking senior non-commissioned officers’ quarters to the medical centre, Corporal below quarters, an indoor sports and recreation centre, a tennis court and a refurbished squash court.
He stated, “All these projects have a direct bearing on the wellbeing of our soldiers and as I told the Commanding Officer, all these things he has done aligned perfectly with the philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Olufemi Oluyede, which is ‘put the soldier first.’
“So for everything we are doing, the soldier comes first. These projects are all geared towards the wellbeing of the soldiers and their families to consolidate the transformation of the Nigerian Army towards bequeathing a well-motivated and combat-ready force that can effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.”
Major-General Abdussalam further said in most decisions taken by CoAS, his ‘Soldiers First’ ideology has been key, and therefore called on commanding officers to key into the CoAS ‘Soldiers First’ initiative and use it as a driving force in all their endeavours.
He also urged COs to use the limited resources they have to benefit their troops.
Major General Abdussalam commended the CO of the 343 AR, Lieutenant Colonel Kaan for embarking on meaningful projects that uplift the living standards of troops and their families.
Abdussalam urged the occupants of the newly renovated block to come together and maintain the facility for their benefit and that of their families, stressing that to whom much is given, much is expected.
Earlier, the CO 343 AR, Lt. Col. Kaan thanked the GOC and other senior officers who graced the event, stating that before he embarked on the complete renovation, the 30-room block had completely deteriorated.
Kaan said the poor state of the rooms informed his decision to give it a complete facelift in line with the CoAS ‘soldiers’ first’ concept for the benefit of troops.
