The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has concluded a 3-day operational visit to the 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA), Area of Responsibility (AOR), during which he commissioned multiple signature projects executed by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, and his commanders.
By Chimezie Godfrey
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has concluded a 3-day operational visit to the 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA), Area of Responsibility (AOR), during which he commissioned multiple signature projects executed by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, and his commanders.
At the Port Harcourt Barracks, General Oluyede inaugurated the Headquarters 6 Division Office Complex Extension and the Python Harmony Centre.
He also commissioned projects delivered by the 6 Division Garrison under Brigadier General S. Ahmed, including two newly built 10-family Corporal and Below Quarters (CBQs), seven remodeled CBQs, a remodeled Cantonment Office, and a new Petroleum Oil Lubricant Point. Other projects included the remodeled Quarter Guard and 10 CBQs at 29 Battalion.
In Bayelsa State, the Army Chief inaugurated the 16 Brigade Annex Complex built under the leadership of Brigadier General Oluremi Obolo, and an electrification project executed by the NDDC as part of its corporate social responsibility.
He further commissioned a Garrison House built by Lieutenant Colonel Sheriff Kaigama, the remodeled 5 Battalion Quarter Guard, the upgraded 343 Artillery Regiment Commanding Officer’s House, a newly installed transformer, and performed the groundbreaking for 20 units of two-bedroom flats for Senior Non-Commissioned Officers at Elele Barracks.
He also inspected the fully renovated Medical Reception Station at Wellington Barracks, Ibagwa Barracks, Akwa Ibom State.
As part of his strategic leadership engagement, General Oluyede paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, at Government House, Uyo.
He reaffirmed the Army’s national character, stating that “the NA belongs to all Nigerians.”
He added that he was “not surprised by the level of support the state government has been providing to the NA which accounts for the state being one of the most peaceful in the country.”
The COAS explained that his visit was part of his operational tour of states under the 6 Division AOR.
In his response, Governor Eno praised the Nigerian Army for its role in maintaining peace, security, and development in the state.
He noted the “sustained collaboration between Akwa Ibom State and the NA through the Commander 2 Brigade, Brigadier General Alex Tawasimi.”
The Governor commended the robust Civil-Military Relations in the state and assured of “continuous support to the NA in achieving its constitutional mandate.”
The Army Chief also addressed troops at the 29 Battalion Parade Ground, Port Harcourt, and the 6 Battalion Parade Ground, Ibagwa, Abak LGA of Akwa Ibom State.
He lauded their “unwavering dedication and resilience in the ongoing anti-oil theft and pipeline vandalism operations,” and assured them that “their welfare has been adequately prioritized in line with his soldier first concept.”