COAS Commissions Civil-Military Cooperation Projects in Zaria

By Idris Umar The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waid Shaibu has commissioned Special Intervention Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) ...

By Idris Umar

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waid Shaibu has commissioned Special Intervention Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) projects executed by Maj.-Gen. A.G.L. Haruna in Palladan, Sabon Gari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The COAS was represented at the event by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Sadiq Wase. He reiterated the Nigerian Army’s commitment to pursuing both kinetic and non-kinetic lines of operations in addressing security challenges across the country.

According to him, the initiative is aimed at complementing the government’s infrastructural development efforts, particularly in communities associated with senior officers who have risen to the rank of Major General.

He noted that the Special Intervention Civil-Military Cooperation projects provide an opportunity for the Nigerian Army to deploy non-kinetic strategies to strengthen civil-military relations and promote community development.

“It is fitting that the Army honours this illustrious son by commissioning the project under the Special Intervention Civil-Military Cooperation initiative,” he said.

He explained that the concept of the COAS Special Intervention Civil-Military Cooperation projects was conceived to support the communities of senior Nigerian Army officers who, through diligence, commitment, and selfless service, have attained the enviable rank of Major General.

According to him, the projects are carefully conceived and executed in close consultation with benefiting communities to ensure relevance and lasting impact.

In his remarks, the Commander of the Nigerian Army Training Centre, Kontagora, Maj.-Gen. A.G.L. Haruna, said he selected Government Secondary School (GSS) Palladan to enable his community benefit from the civil-military cooperation initiative.

He stated that giving back to the community would further strengthen the long-standing relationship between the Army and the people, while positively impacting younger generations by providing a more conducive teaching and learning environment for both teachers and students.

Maj.-Gen. Haruna described Palladan as one of the oldest communities in Zaria, noting that it is in dire need of developmental projects such as link roads to Layin Zomo and potable water, as many wells—the primary source of water—have dried up.

He thanked the Chief of Army Staff for his support from the inception of the project, expressing confidence that it would make a meaningful impact on the community.

In his remarks, the Emir of Zazzau, Malam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, commended the Nigerian Army for the initiative and urged the benefiting community and school management to make judicious use of the project.

The Emir, who was represented by the Fagachin Zazzau, Alhaji Umar Mohammed, noted that the Zazzau Emirate hosts key training institutions for the Army and Police, and appealed for more projects that would further strengthen collaboration between communities and security agencies.