The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, says the Nigerian army is ever ready to stand in harm’s way to accord Nigerians the safety, security and comfort that they deserve.
Yahaya said this at the maiden Annual Command Guest House Stakeholders Conference 2022, organised by the Department of Special Services and Programmes on Thursday in Abuja.
Represented by the Group Managing Director, Nigerian Army Welfare Limited by Guaranty, Maj.-Gen. Adekola Bakare said that army would leave no stone unturned in building all its components of fighting power including welfare and administration of personnel.
Yahaya pledged to continue to provide leadership and guidance for the troops in the fight against perpetrators of insecurity in the country.
According to him, they are confident that with the acquisition of more equipment and platforms, army is well positioned to win the war against insurgency, banditry and other violent crimes in the country.
He said the theme of the conference, “Repositioning the Nigerian Army Hospitality Endeavours for Enhanced Service Delivery,” was apt and within the set objectives of the establishment of Command Guest Houses.
The COAS said the desire to establish the guest houses was borne out of the need to provide secured, affordable and reliable accommodation as part of efforts to cater for the welfare needs of army personnel, members of the armed forces and the general public across Nigeria.
He said the facilities had in no small measure continued to offer subsidised guest accommodation, recreation and entertainment support to users and had undoubtedly achieved their set goals and objectives.
“Presently, command guest houses are located in Lagos, Abuja, Bauchi, Yola, Gusau, Maiduguri and Kaduna.
“Command Guest House Sokoto will soon come on board as work in the new facility is almost completed.
“Plans are also on to expand and establish Command Guest Houses in major cities and geopolitical zones across the country.
“Since my assumption of command, our efforts have been geared towards improving infrastructure and facilities in the various Command Guest Houses.
“For example, the renovation of Command Guest House Maiduguri was completed and handed over to operators in May 2022, while there are also plans to carry out phased renovation of Command Guest Houses in Apapa, Yola, Gusau and Kaduna.
“These gestures are aimed at improving and repositioning the service delivery requirement of these very important Nigerian army welfare facilities,” he said.
