In a landmark gesture underscoring the Nigerian Army’s commitment to community development and civil engagement, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede (NAM), on Friday commissioned a fully-equipped industrial borehole project in Umukabi Village, Ohodo Community, Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State.
According to a press statement by 82 Division Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel OLALEKAN OLABISI AYENI, the project, executed as part of the Nigerian Army’s Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) programme, was dedicated in honour of retired senior officer, Major General Patrick Ikechukwu Eze.
It features a modern water distribution system, complete with state-of-the-art storage tanks, a 30KVA soundproof generator, solar-powered lighting, and surveillance cameras, aimed at enhancing water accessibility and improving overall community welfare.
Representing the COAS at the commissioning was the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division and Commander of Joint Task Force South East Operation UDOKA, Major General Oluyemi Olatoye.
In his remarks, the GOC described the project as a clear testament to the Nigerian Army’s non-kinetic approach to national security and peace-building, emphasizing that such initiatives foster strong ties with local populations and promote sustainable development.
He praised Major General Eze (rtd) for identifying the pressing needs of the Ohodo Community and lauded his dedication to ensuring the successful completion of the water project.
“The Nigerian Army believes in collaborative development. By involving communities in the planning and execution of such projects, we strengthen the sense of ownership and long-term sustainability,” he noted.
Speaking earlier, Major General Eze (rtd) expressed gratitude to the COAS for providing the necessary support that brought the project to fruition. Also addressing the gathering, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (CCMA), Major General GU Chibuisi, highlighted the importance of CIMIC initiatives in improving civilian-military relations. He encouraged the community to take responsibility for the maintenance and safeguarding of the facilities.
Goodwill messages were presented by the Chairman of Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area, represented by Honourable Eric Odo, and traditional rulers from the three autonomous communities of Ohodo.
Igwe Hycient Eze, speaking on behalf of the traditional council, thanked the Nigerian Army for the transformative project and pledged the community’s unwavering commitment to preserving and managing the facility effectively.
The ceremony featured the distribution of food items to widows, notebooks to pupils of Igwebuike Basic School, presentation of souvenirs to dignitaries, and group photographs to mark the memorable occasion.
The commissioning marks another milestone in the Nigerian Army’s broader civil-military cooperation strategy aimed at deepening community trust, enhancing national cohesion, and complementing its core mandate of safeguarding the country.
