By ZAKAA LAZARUS, Abuja
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede has commissioned a newly renovated and modified Primary Healthcare Centre as well as staff quarters in Olugbo, Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The project, under the COAS Special Intervention Civil-Military Cooperation Projects, was commissioned in a ceremony executed by the Commander, Corps of Supply and Transport (CCST), Major General Adekunle Adeyinka, a distinguished son of the community.
The initiative which is part of Nigerian Army’s (NA) efforts to strengthen civil-military relations, promote accessible healthcare and foster community development.
Speaking at the event, the COAS who was represented by the Commander, Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Major General Baba Yahaya highlighted the essence of the Special Intervention Projects as a non-kinetic approach to addressing Nigeria’s multifaceted security challenges. He noted that the scheme facilitates infrastructural development in communities across the country, particularly those of senior officers who have attained the rank of Major General.
The renovated healthcare facility, which includes staff quarters, is expected to provide quality and accessible healthcare services to the people of Olugbo and surrounding areas. He further commended Major General Adeyinka and community elders for their role in identifying and executing the impactful project
The COAS assured attendees of the NA commitment to fostering peace and security through both kinetic and non-kinetic operations, in partnership with other security agencies.
He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) for his continued support of the NA, reaffirming the Army’s loyalty to the President and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In his welcome remarks, Major General Adeyinka expressed gratitude to the COAS for his support and to various stakeholders, including the Ogun State Government, local government authorities and community members for their contributions to the Project.
He emphasized the Project’s significance in reducing the healthcare burden on residents, particularly pregnant women and children, who previously traveled long distances for medical care.
He stressed, that to sustain the facility’s operations, the project has been integrated into the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme and a scholarship program has been introduced to train community members at the Ogun State College of Nursing Sciences.
The CCST provided further details on the Project, highlighting its key components.
These included the complete remodeling and renovation of the entire building, as well as equipping the facility with modern medical tools. The Project also involved the installation of a solar-powered borehole with a reticulation system for clean water supply and a solar inverter system to ensure uninterrupted electricity. He further expatiated that the centre is designed to serve over 62 communities and more than 8,000 residents with the aim of delivering quality healthcare services, particularly to rural areas. He therefore called on the Ogun State Ministry of Health to deploy additional staff to the facility to optimize its services.
The ceremony was graced by several distinguished senior military officers, including the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (Army), Major General NC Ugbo, Military Secretary (Army), Major General EF Oyinlola, the Director, Directorate of Inspection and Compliance, Major General IM Jallo, and the General Officer, Commandant Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Air Vice Marshal BR Mamman and the General Officer Commanding 81 Division NA, Major General FU Mijinyawa amongst other senior officers (serving and retired).
Also in attendance were the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Right Honourable Oludaisi Elemide and the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Ogun State, Mrs. Tomi Coker, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ogun State Hospital Management Board.
Executive Chairman of Odeda Local Government, Honourable (Dr.) Folashade Adeyemo, the representative of His Royal Majesty, the Alake of Egbaland along with other royal fathers also participated in the historic event.
