News Investigators/ The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed his commitment to a soldier-first culture with the inauguration of 80 housing units in Jos, Plateau.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, on Tuesday in Abuja.
Shaibu said the housing units, delivered under the Nigerian Army Affordable Home Ownership Scheme, reflected deliberate investment in personnel welfare, morale and operational readiness.
He said providing quality and affordable housing for soldiers remained essential to enhancing combat effectiveness and strengthening the Nigerian Army’s capacity to deliver on its constitutional responsibilities.
The COAS said personnel welfare and family wellbeing remained central to his command philosophy, stressing that motivated and professionally fulfilled soldiers performed better in safeguarding national security.
According to him, the Army delivered 60 housing units last year, while another 120 units in Abuja and 40 units in Benin are scheduled for inauguration soon.
Shaibu announced that five per cent of the housing units had been reserved for soldiers wounded in action as recognition of their courage and sacrifices in defending Nigeria.
He urged beneficiaries to maintain the facilities, describing home ownership as a symbol of stability, responsibility and lasting reward for dedicated service to the nation.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Post-Service Housing Development Limited, Maj.-Gen. Isaiah Alison, commended the COAS for prioritising personnel welfare through sustained investments in affordable housing projects.
Alison assured that additional housing schemes were underway to provide more serving soldiers with decent accommodation and improve their living standards across the country.
During the visit, Shaibu also inaugurated newly completed trainee hostels and convenience facilities at the 3 Division Training School, Jos, to strengthen training infrastructure and institutional capacity.
He said the projects underscored the Nigerian Army’s holistic approach to improving personnel welfare, enhancing training and sustaining operational readiness in support of national security objectives.
NAN