The Nigerian Army on Monday has honoured Six Distinguished Nigerians with the Nigerian Army Recognition Award for their immense contribution to success of the Nigerian Army.
They are; Alhaji Abdulsamad Isyaku Rabiu CFR, Alhaji Aliko Dangote GCON, Col Hameed Ali (Retd), Dr Jim Ovia CFR, Mr Tony Elumelo CFR, and Lt General Tukur Buratai CFR.
Director Public Relations Officer, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu while delivering the objectives of the award said, it was initiated by the incumbent Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya to appreciate deserving personality whose outstanding contributions have greatly impacted on the well-being of the Nigerian Army.
General Nwachukwu acquainted guests at the COAS Annual Conference of some of the recipients unique and laudable contributions to the Nigerian Army.
ALHAJI ABDULSAMAD ISYAKU
Alhaji Abdulsamad Isyaku RabiU intervention initiative for Africa. The initiative focuses on the key areas of enhanced health, education, social development and security, both in Nigeria and other parts of Africa. The initiative has also provided assistance towards capacity building of the armed forces of Nigeria of which the Nigerian army is a major beneficiary.
Out of the recent donation of 10 billion naira, as Security support fund for the armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies, the Nigerian army will receive support what 2 billion naira to equip 7 division Medical services, an hospital with four bed intensive care units, 3D Ultrasound machines, mobile Xray machine, medical laboratory and the health Information Management System.
Also, renovation of 8 family accommodation quarters blocks, building of 8 accommodation for 10 family, 1 bedroom blocks in all Nigerian army divisions, stocking library and upgrading of scientific life laboratories in six commands Secondary schools in each geopolitical zones for the country.
The BUA group apart from providing job opportunities to Nigerian army retired officers and discharge personnel, it has always allowed Nigerian army schools to conduct study tours and researches in its facilities. These contributions, among several others, have direct and positive impact on Nigerian army operations and activities, and therefore make are hardly Abdulsamad itself review in worthy recipient of the Nigerian Army recognition Award.
ALHAJI ALIKO DANGOTE
A look at some contributions of Aliko Dangote, Chairman, chief executive officer Dangote group to the Nigerian army. The families of the Nigerian army personnel have continued to benefit from the support of the Dangote Foundation in the areas of education, skill acquisition and health Care.
Dangote has also assisted in the renovation of accommodation in some Nigerian army barracks. He has also maintained partnership with the Nigerian Army for the conduct of vaccination exercises in various communities in the country especially in the North East Region.
The Dangote Industries Limited remained a foremost firm that provides job opportunities to Nigerian Army Retired Officers And ex-service personnel.
The Dangote Group also maintains close partnership with some Nigerian army schools for conduct of study tours and researches to promote academic excellence in the Nigerian Army. These contributions, among several others, make Aliko Dangote worthy recipient of the Nigerian Army recognition Award.
COLONEL HAMEED ALI (RETD)
An insight into some contributions of Comptroller General of Customs, Colonel Hammed Ali, retired to the Nigerian army. The Nigerian Customs Service and Nigerian Army foster enduring and mutual relationship under the leadership of Colonel Hameed Ali, Retired.
The Nigerian Customs service has been providing timely information and logistic support to the Nigerian army which has led to several successful joint for the operations. In Nigerian cause, NSC supported Nigerian army troops operating in the NE Nigeria with turns of foodstuff amongst others.
This kind gesture has boosted troops morale for efficient performance in ongoing operations also in the North East. The Nigerian Customs Service assisted in Nigerian army in winning the hearts and minds of the civil populace by providing relief materials such as drugs, medical equipment and food stall during Nigerian army humanitarian missions.
The Nigeria Customs Service, under the leadership of Colonel Hameed Ali, Retired, has been instrumental to the timely clearance and delivery of military equipment procured by the federal Government of Nigeria for the Nigerian Army.
The Nigeria Customs Service also supported the Nigerian Army's intelligence and surveillance efforts by providing quantity 679 unmanned Aerial vehicles, over 200 communication equipment and military kits.
These contributions, among numerous orders, have in no small measure assisted the Nigerian army to conduct successful operations, and this makes Colonel Hameed Ali retired, the recipient of the Nigerian Army Recognition Award.
DOCTOR JIM OVIA
A look at some contributions of Doctor Jim Ovia, CFR founder and chairman, Zenith Bank to the Nigerian Army.
Doctor Jim Ovia is the Chairman of Zenith bank PLC and over the years had made quantum contributions to Nigerian army expansions for secured environment is worthy of commendation. Some of the support to the Nigerian army included Donation of a fully two Storey information communication technology and vocational Skills Acquisition Centre for the Nigerian Army University Biu, Borno State.
Ongoing construction of barracks for the newly established 181 Amphibious Battalion in Agbor Delte State that is worth over 500 million naira.
The completion of the barracks, for the accommodation of personnel and their families would boost troops morale.
During the Ground-breaking ceremony from the Defence and police Officers Wives Association Proposed Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for short centre in Abuja, Dr Javier made a cash donation of 15 million naira.
The Nigerian army, which constitutes over 70% of the armed forces, will be a major beneficiary from the centre's management for post Traumatic Stress disorder from our various operations.
Doctor Jim Ovia has continued to provide job opportunities to Nigerian army, retired and ex service personnel.
Jim Ovia Foundation is also assisting families of Nigerian army personnel in skill acquisition programmes.
These contributions among several orders. , make doctor Jim Ovia a worthy recipient of the Nigerian Army Recognition Award.
TONY ELUMELU
Some contributions of Mr Tony Elumelu, founder Tony Elumelu Foundation told the Nigerian army. The renowned and highly revered Mr Tony Elumelu has continued to impact lives of millions of people in Africa through the enterpreneurial and philanthropic activities of his foundation, like many Nigerians and organisations, the Nigerian army. He's also a beneficiary of the Tony Elumelu Foundation skill acquisition and entrepreneurship programmes.
The occupational hazards occasioned by the conduct of operations by Nigerian army to provide enhanced national security have left some of our personal paying the supreme price, living many spouses and widows and children, as orphan.
Tony Elumelu, through his foundation and without being prompted, decided in power in the first instance 220 windows of the armed Forces of Nigeria out of this number, they foundation magnanimously offered to empower 150 spouses of decease Nigerian army personnel.
This constitutes 70% of the total. Apart from the cost of the training, each widow would also have a start up capital of $2000 for entrepreneurship engagement.
Additionally, the Tony Elumelu Foundation has continued to assist in providing job opportunities to Nigerian army retired anaesthetist personnel. These contributions,, among several others, have direct impact on Nigerian army operations as the boast more morale of the troops and therefore make Mr Tony Elumelu a worthy recipient of the Nigerian Army Recognition Award.
LT GENERAL TUKUR BURATAI (RETD)
Some contributions of Lieutenant General Tuku Buratai retired, former Chief of Army staff from a ambassador to the Republic served as the Chief of Army staff from 2015 to 2021.
Nigerian army witnessed unprecedented development during his tenure by initiating a wide range of programmes to transform the Nigerian army, through reorganisation, expansion, quality training.
Others include introduction of force, multipliers, infrastructural development, strategic guidance, mentoring, monitoring and exemplary leadership.
He rejigged the North East counter terrorism counter insurgency operations that led to the reclaiming all territories occupied by insurgents within two years of Assumption of duty as the 20th Chief of Army staff.
Thereby tremendously enhancing security and development in North East Nigeria. In this, regard, the strategic and visionary Lieutenant General Ty Buratai ensured the operationalization of six and eight divisions of the Nigerian Army for Special Forces Command its new brigades, 23 additional battalions, Revitalization of the Nigerian army Aviation many others.
Training and capacity building was given a new impetus as Army War College Nigeria, Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command, Nigerian Army University view, among many others were established.
Appreciatively ensured that the very good number of officers are fellows and graduates of the prestigious Harvard University United States of America. These contributions, among several others, make Lieutenant General Ty Buratai (retd) the recipient of the Nigerian Army Recognition Award.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya explained that the Conference is held at the end of every year with the primary Aim of reviewing our activities and re-strategising for the improved performance.
He said, the conference is taking place during period that have witnessed unprecedented support by His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari to boost the capabilities of Nigerian army and the armed forces in general.
General Yahaya noted that this laudable determination to speed up the modernisation process of Nigerian army when the principal considerations that led to the selection of the theme of this year's annual conference, which is building a professional Nigerian army for the 21st century security environment, the theme was also intended to_the need for sustained efforts to adequately resolve Nigeria army for optimal performance.
He Stress that the year 2022 had been eventful for the Nigerian army and particularly in the operational front, with concerted effort sustained to defend territorial integrity of the nation.
He said: "On the external front, our troops have maintained a close liaison with the forces of our neighbouring countries and the general security situation around our contiguous border has remained relatively calm.
"Our involvement and leadership in the regional multinational Joint Task Force has continued to provide the desired direction for collective action toward decisively dealing with the menace of terrorism and other cross-border criminalities.
"On the home front, the major threats of terrorism, banditry, an insurgency have persisted but are largely contained across the country.
"Tremendous effort have been made throughout the year to improve the general security and positive results have been achieved in all theatres of operation.
"Nonetheless, we are mindful of the need to continuously appraise our activities and this conference would be fully utilised to involved enduring strategies to improve and conduct our constitutional rules.
The COAS therefore highlighted major strides achieved in the conduct of our activities in the year 2022.
The fight against terrorism and banditry under operation Hadin Kai, Operation Hadarin Daji, and operation Forest Sanity has been intensified in the North East and North West respectively leading to the decimation of criminals.
Troops of Nigerian army deployed in other ongoing operations such as Operation Whirl Stroke, Operation Safe Heaven, an Operation Delta Safe, among others, have continued to collaborate with personnel of other security agencies to contail the menace of security challenges in the North Central, South East, South South and South West region of the country.