Army Chief Commissions Projects in Osun

Army Chief Commissions Projects in Osun
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai yesterday, Monday, 14 September 2020 commissioned some landmark Special Intervention Projects in Osun State. At Asamu, Ola-Oluwa Local Government Area (LGA), the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai commissioned a hospital, and, at Kuta, Aiyedire LGA the COAS also commissioned a Bailey Bridge constructed across River Osun at Kuta on KUTA-IKOYI-EDE road. The two completed projects are named after the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai. The hospital and bailey bridge projects had been initiated and sponsored by the Chief of Army Staff. The projects are part of the COAS several contributions in support of the Nigerian Army non-kinetic line of operations.

The citing of the hospital in Asamu was much welcome by the people. “The hospital and bridge will promote our health, the standard of living of our people and also increase commerce in our area” His Royal Majesty, Aafin Olowu of Kuta, Oba Hammed Adekunle, Makama Oyelude, Tegbosun III stressed.

Despite the Nigerian Army giant combat approach to tangling insecurity, the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General TY Buratai identify the vital role of civil military cooperation (CIMIC) projects in deepening Nigerian Army civil military cooperation posture, bridging gap between the Nigerian Army and the civil population, and, curbing the menace of hate speech syndrome. The Nigerian Army under the present leadership of Lieutenant General TY Buratai has exhibited high level of commitment, dedication, preparedness and above all; resolve in drawing the civil populace closer to her army, the Nigerian Army through projects targeted towards winning hearts and minds. These CIMIC sponsored projects are very core to creating strategic naratives and winning hearts and minds. The battle of naratives is crucial to the fight against insurgency. Non-kinetic line of operations is a force multiplier and enabler in revising civil populace naratives.

The Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai in his remarks expressed appreciation to all the State Governors within 2 Division AOR for their selfless contributions and support of Units and formations under their respective domain. The COAS also thanked His Imperial Majesty O’oni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II for his contribution to boosting the Nigerian Army against COVID-19 epidemics. It is worth noting that at the heat of the epidemics His Imperial Majesty O’oni of Ife donated the motorised modular fumigators to the Nigerian Army. A concept initiated and developed by House of Oduduwa Machine and Tools under the supervision of His Imperial Majesty O’oni of Ife, to fight against the spread of the epidermic.

At the commissioning ceremony His Excellency the Executive Governor of Osun State Mr Adegboyega Oyetola was present. His Imperial Majesty O’oni of Ife Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II was ably represented. His Royal Majesty Aafin Olowu of Kuta Oba Hammed Adekunle Makama Oyelude Tegbosun III added colour and wealth of experience to the ceremony. Senior Government officials, senior military and paramilitary officers serving and retired were also present.

The commissioning ceremony climaxed when His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Osun State, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola received the COAS in a dinner organised in honour of the Chief of Army Staff, at the Government House, Osogbo, the Osun State capital. During the party, among senior officers present was the Chief of Policy and Plans, Army Headquarters, Abuja, Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun former Chief of Defence Staff Lieutenant General Ipoola Alani Akinrinade, the Chief of Training and Operations, Army Headquarters, Abuja, Maj Gen NE Angbazo, Commander Infantry Corps, Maj Gen SO Olabanji, and many other senior officers (both serving and retired) were in attendance including senior Osun State government functionaries, to mention but few.

HASSAN IFIJEH MOHAMMED
COLONEL
DEPUTY DIRECTOR ARMY PUBLIC RELATIONS