The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has commissioned refurbished operational vehicles and the Nightingale Club at the 1 Women Battalion, Giri, Abuja, as part of efforts to improve troops’ operational readiness and welfare.
The Nigerian Army said the projects were aimed at enhancing troop mobility, operational responsiveness, personnel welfare and overall effectiveness in ongoing national security operations.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Shaibu, who was represented by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, said the availability of serviceable vehicles was essential to the effective movement of troops, equipment and logistics.
According to a statement by Anele, the COAS stressed that military effectiveness depended significantly on the availability and serviceability of operational platforms.
“The availability of serviceable mobility assets is critical to enabling troops to move personnel, equipment and logistics promptly in response to operational requirements,” Shaibu said.
He directed commanders and personnel responsible for the vehicles to ensure their proper maintenance and responsible use, warning that the assets must be protected and deployed strictly for authorised military purposes.
“These assets are national resources that must be protected, accounted for and employed strictly for authorised military purposes,” the COAS said.
Shaibu also described the Nightingale Club as an investment in the human element of military effectiveness, noting that operational equipment alone was not sufficient to maintain a capable and resilient fighting force.
He said the facility would provide personnel and their families with opportunities for recreation, relaxation and healthy social interaction, while also promoting cohesion and camaraderie within the formation.
The COAS commended the leadership and personnel of the 1 Women Battalion, as well as officers, soldiers, civilian staff, contractors and other stakeholders who contributed to the completion of the projects.
He said the development demonstrated the importance of effective leadership, prudent resource management and collective responsibility, particularly as the Nigerian Army continued to optimise available resources to meet evolving security challenges.
Shaibu further charged commanders and personnel to sustain a culture of maintenance, accountability and prudent management of military resources.
“The true value of these commissioned assets will ultimately be measured by their impact on operational effectiveness and personnel welfare,” he said.
Earlier, the Commander, Nigerian Army Women Command, Brig. Gen. Muhammed Sani Adamu, described the Nightingale Club as a strategic investment in the welfare and effectiveness of military personnel.
Adamu said a professional and combat-ready force required not only appropriate equipment and capabilities but also an environment that promoted the morale, welfare, cohesion and wellbeing of its personnel.
He commended the COAS for providing strategic guidance and resources aimed at improving the welfare of troops in line with his Soldier First philosophy.
According to the Nigerian Army, the initiative underscored the importance of prioritising personnel welfare alongside operational capability in building a motivated force capable of sustaining its constitutional responsibilities.
