COAS Turn Sod Of Building Project Donated By Abdul Samad Rabiu

By Olanrewaju Falayi

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has turned the sod of the building project donated Abdul Samad Rabiu located for the Nigerian Army and located at the Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, Giri in Abuja. 

The ceremony, which took place on Thursday is part of efforts to provide conducive housing units for personnel of the Nigerian Army (NA). 

The Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier Onyema Nwachukwu, said the Housing project under the auspices of the Abdul Samad Rabiu Initiative for Africa (ASR Africa) is the organization’s Corporate Social Responsibility extended to the Nigerian Army.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Army Chief expressed gratitude to ASR Africa under the leadership of the Chairman BUA Group, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, and his management team for their laudable gesture in supporting the Nigerian Army in its effort to meet the accommodation needs of the Nigerian Army. 

Onyema said that the project will immensely contributes to addressing the huge infrastructure deficit, that the Nigerian Army is currently facing in Abuja.

The COAS stated that the Nigerian Army under his leadership, will continue to give utmost priority to the welfare of the Nigerian army personnel’s as crystalized in the third beam of his Command Philosophy, which is to provide Sound Administration and support to the home front of personnel as a major pillar.

General Lagbaja observed that stakeholders cannot afford to leave the burden of national security to the government alone. 

He called on other corporate organizations to emulate ASR Africa and support the government in meeting some of the essential needs of the security agencies.

The COAS appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his tireless support for the Nigerian Army. He equally extended his appreciation to members of the National Assembly for their understanding and goodwill since the inception of the 10th National Assembly.

Presenting his address, the Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, who was represented by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of ASR Africa, Dr Ubon Udoh, elucidated that ASR Africa is a  philanthropic firm established to intervene and create development solutions in the area of health, education and social development. 

He stated that through the security sector support grant, the firm was able to support the Armed Forces and other security agencies in the country, noting that the management is pleased with the Nigerian Army for utilizing the grant allocated for infrastructural development.

The Chief Executive Officer stated that the contribution of ASR Africa is an indication of its commitment to development solutions in Nigeria and in Africa in general. 

Highlights of the ceremony were the foundation laying for the construction of 120 units of Corporal and Below Quarters by the COAS and the presentation of souvenirs.