The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has unveiled 30 family accommodation units at Ribadu Cantonment in Kaduna as part of efforts to improve the welfare of Nigerian Army personnel and their families. The accommodation units comprise two blocks of two-bedroom family quarters for Senior Non-Commissioned Officers. This initiative aims to provide decent housing for soldiers and their families, which is a key component of personnel welfare and effective administration.
According to Lt.-Gen. Shaibu, the wellbeing of soldiers and their families has a direct bearing on morale, motivation, and operational effectiveness. The provision of decent accommodation is crucial as the Nigerian Army continues to expand its force structure and operational reach. The COAS emphasized that the growth of the Army must be matched with corresponding investment in infrastructure and welfare facilities to support personnel and their families.
The Ribadu Cantonment accommodates several Nigerian Army establishments, and the additional housing units will help reduce pressure on existing accommodation. Lt.-Gen. Shaibu charged the beneficiaries to take ownership of the facilities and ensure their proper use, cleanliness, and maintenance. He also disclosed that similar accommodation projects are ongoing in barracks and cantonments across the country as part of efforts to rehabilitate ageing infrastructure and provide additional facilities.
The General Officer Commanding, 1 Division Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Wase, commended the COAS for facilitating the project. He said the commissioning of the quarters was another milestone in the Army’s efforts to improve the living standards of its personnel and promote regimental pride. Decent accommodation, he added, would boost troops’ morale and enable them to remain focused on their constitutional responsibilities.
Maj.-Gen. Wase noted that accommodation challenges had remained a significant concern across formations and units. The intervention would provide relief to personnel and their families, he said, urging the beneficiaries to take absolute ownership of the facilities by maintaining cleanliness and ensuring proper upkeep. He appreciated the technical team and all those who contributed to the successful completion of the project.
Lt.-Gen. Shaibu expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his continued support and provision of resources towards improving the welfare and living conditions of Nigerian Army personnel. The COAS’s command philosophy prioritizes personnel welfare, and this project is a testament to that commitment. The new housing units will significantly improve the living conditions of soldiers and their families.
The commissioning of the 30 family accommodation units is a significant milestone in the Army’s efforts to improve personnel welfare. With similar projects ongoing across the country, the Nigerian Army is demonstrating its commitment to providing decent housing for its personnel. The project will have a positive impact on the morale and motivation of soldiers, enabling them to discharge their constitutional responsibilities effectively.
Key points
- The Nigerian Army has unveiled 30 family accommodation units in Kaduna to improve personnel welfare.
- The project aims to provide decent housing for soldiers and their families, boosting morale and motivation.
- Similar accommodation projects are ongoing in barracks and cantonments across the country.
