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The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, has commissioned several projects in Nembe National Grammar School (NNGS) situated in Bayelsa State.
It was gathered that the projects were executed by the Army’s Director of Engineering Services, Maj. Gen. I. A. Allison, who is also an indigene of Nembe and a former senior prefect of NNGS in 1988.
The projects include: remodelling of the school’s main gate, construction of eight toilets, renovation of science laboratories, and supply of laboratory equipment.
Others are the construction of library bookshelves, water reticulation and supply at the kitchen and hostels, renovation of sick bay and supply of drugs and essential medical equipment.
The Army also renovated the school kitchen, provided solar lights at the dining hall for prep and established a Computer Based Test (CBT) centre equipped with 168 computers.
The Chief of Army Staff was represented by Major General Jamal Abdusalam, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, at the commissioning ceremony.
He said the far-reaching projects which are Classified as Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) were executed across the country, as part of the Army’s non-kinetic approaches in combating security challenges facing the country.
Speaking at the event, Major General Allison thanked the Chief of Army Staff for funding the projects and giving him the privilege to serve and better the lives of the Nembe people.
While stressing that “a peaceful environment will always give birth to development,” he commended the people of Nembe for their cooperation during the execution of the projects.
He urged the residents to own the projects and protect them against possible theft and vandalism, calling for continued partnership between the Army and the community.
The Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, appreciated the Nigerian Army particularly the Chief of Army Staff for the social responsibility, urging other security agencies to emulate the kind gesture.
Governor Diri who was represented at the occasion by the Chief Security Coordinator of the state, retired Brigadier General Eric Angaye, also commended Major General Allison for attracting the projects to Bayelsa.
On his part, the Amanyanabo of Nembe Kingdom, HRM King Edmund Daukoru (Mingi XII), who was represented by the palace secretary, Chief Isaiah K Howells Young-Dede hailed the Chief of Army Staff for funding the multiple projects.
The elated monarch also poured encomiums on Major General Allison for attracting the projects to Nembe, praying that “May the Almighty God bless you to do more for the development of your fatherland.”
On his part, the Chairman of NNGS 1983/1988 set, Hon. Oteigbanyo George-Braah thanked the Nigerian Army for the uncommon initiative, and particularly Major General Allison, for facilitating the execution of the projects in the institution.
George-Braah who is also the member representing Nembe Constituency 1 in the state legislature admitted that Major General Allison’s contribution to NNGS is unprecedented.
By attracting the multiple projects in his alma mater, Major General Allison is a perfect role model to all the students.
“On behalf of the 1983/1988 set, we commend your efforts and we will complement them by donating 150 chairs to the school,” he said.
The lawmaker equally called on the people of Nembe to emulate Major General Allison by using their positions to attract meaningful development to their respective communities.
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