Army Builds 22 Command Schools, Provides ICT Centres in 4 years

Army Builds 22 Command Schools, Provides ICT Centres in 4 years

The Nigerian Army (NA) has established 22 new Command Secondary Schools across the country to foster the educational needs of its personnel and the society at large.

It has also executed critical intervention projects in the areas of constructions and renovations of classrooms, provision of ICT Centres as well as vehicles to meet personnel training and operational requirements.

These were the revelations made by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, at a seminar for “Commandants, Bursars and Administrative Officers of Command Secondary School in the Nigerian Army.”

The event, organized by the Army Headquarters, was held at the Army Resource Centre in Asokoro, Abuja.

Speaking at the seminar themed: “Enhancing the Capacity of Personnel for Efficient Procurement and Financial Management in Command Secondary Schools,” Buratai, stressed that the importance of education and having a conducive learning environment in Army Command Schools cannot be over-emphasized.

He noted that the quality and standard of Army schools is paramount in the development of the society, as well as the country’s future leaders in various fields.

“As such, there is need for a prudent management of available resources and capacity to generate revenues in Army Command Schools, in order to ensure the attainment of the dreams of their founding fathers,” he said.

The COAS, assured that his leadership will continue to look inwards to upgrading Army schools, while also collaborating with relevant stakeholders towards their effective development.

Buratai, pointed out that the maintenance of equipment and facility rest squarely on the shoulders of those saddled with the responsibility to administer the Command schools, at any given time.

He said: “It is a challenge to us all and a mark of responsibility to maintain our facility and also ensure accountability, which require a change in attitude from all personnel.”

The Army Chief explained that the seminar, which is the fifth in the series, has continued to provide avenue to imbue participants with the requisite knowledge in procurement procedures and ethics, which will aid them in contributing to procurement matters in the field.

He stated that the forum will present the Army management with an opportunity to appraise its performance in the management of the NA Schools, with a view to reinvigorating its effectiveness and enhancing their efficiency.

“The theme of the seminar has been carefully chosen to reinforce and demonstrate my total commitment to training and manpower development of personnel, as a sure means of increasing efficiency and productivity indices.

“Furthermore, the seminar will not have come at a better time than now, when there are renewed efforts to improve the state of infrastructure and internal accounting procedure in Command Secondary schools across the country,” Buratai said.

In a welcome address, Brigadier General Ephraim T. Essien, Army’s Director of Procurement, said the procurement seminar has been a veritable forum for sharing knowledge and ideas on procurement processes and procedures in line with the PPA 2007, and other extant procurement regulations.

“The objective of this seminar is to broaden the knowledge and capacity of officers and men on procurement processes and financial procedures for improve productivity and efficiency in the NA,” he said.

By PRNigeria