COAS commends Bayelsa gov’t over military welfare initiative

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has praised the Bayelsa State government for its efforts to enhance the welfare of officers and men of the Nigerian Army, describing the gesture as a “great relief” to the command.

Gen. Shaibu made the commendation on Thursday during a courtesy and condolence visit to Governor Douye Diri at the Government House, Yenagoa, while on his maiden operational visit to the state to assess combat readiness.

Speaking on the visit, Gen. Shaibu said:

"We are here with a heart of gratitude and appreciation for what you have done for the 16 Brigade, which is the construction and completion of apartments made up of nine units of three-bedroom flats and two blocks of nine units of two-bedroom apartments for non-commissioned officers. This gesture will go a long way in mitigating the accommodation challenges that the Brigade is facing."

Governor Diri expressed appreciation for the recognition, describing the military’s work as critical to the protection of lives and property in the state. 

He said: "I like to use this opportunity to commend the Nigerian Army and other armed forces for what you are doing to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure. For us in government, we all appreciate and understand that you are making sacrifices for our public safety."

The governor added that the residential buildings, recently completed and handed over to the Army, would significantly ease accommodation challenges for officers in the 16 Brigade.