The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has commissioned Civil-Military Cooperation projects executed by Major General Emmanuel Udiandeye, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, at Bedia Community in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State.
A statement from the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nawachukwu, indicates that, during the commissioning, General Lagbaja reiterated that Nigerians are critical partners in the fight against security challenges in the country.
The Nigerian Army Boss further averred that the efforts to surmount current security challenges plaguing the country require that the Nigerian Army mobilizes civil support in its whole-of-society approach to tackling the menace.
He said the awareness is a crucial factor in sustaining the idea of the Chief of Army Staff’s Special Intervention Civil-Military Cooperation Projects under the Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) line of efforts.
On his part, Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, who was ably represented by his Deputy, Honorable Peter Odey, expressed appreciation to the COAS for the execution of the projects and enjoined the people of Bedia community to effectively utilize and maintain the facilities.
The project executor, Major General Emmanuel Udiandeye, disclosed, the intervention projects, which were carefully selected after consultations with leaders of the community, will give a new lease of life to the community.
He listed the projects commissioned to include the Bedia Commercial Secondary School, Memorial Assembly Hall named after Late Major UJ Udiandeye, an Administrative Block, and a new Science Building named after Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja. Others are the renovated Computer Test Block for WAEC and JAMB examinations, as well as renovated boreholes and solar lights.
Dr. Jude Udiandeye, an elder statesman in the community described the project executor as an illustrious son of Bedia, adding that the commissioning marks a historic landmark in the annals of Bedia’s history.
He commended the Nigerian Army for promoting educational and infrastructural development in Bedia, noting that the NA has continued to build relationships with the civil populace across the country and therefore pledged to continue to support and collaborate with the NA.
The event was witnessed by Royal fathers, principal staff officers from the Defence and Army Headquarters; the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, the Commander Corps of Artillery, and several other dignitaries from all spheres of life.
Highlight of the event was medical outreach organized to provide free consultation and treatment to several members of the community.
