The Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja has charged the Army Headquarters Department of Special Services and Programs to deliver acceptable premium services to personnel, amongst other functions and to continue to improve on its current accomplishments while exploring other opportunities in the hospitality industry.
General Lagbaja gave the charge today, 26th September 2024 in Abuja while declaring open the 2024 annual Army Officers' Mess and Suites Conference with the theme "Enhancing the efficiency of Army Officers' Mess and Suites to meet global best practices,"
General Lagbaja who was represented by the Chief of Administration (Army), Maj General Jimmy Akpor said the theme for the conference will aptly reflects the set objectives of establishing the Army Officers' Mess and Suites. He said the conference is to generate the enthusiasm essential to facilitate effective service delivery and, most importantly, boost the overall operations of Army Officers' Mess and Suites.
"I am happy to note that the Department has so far been able to undertake initiatives that are already repositioning the Army Officers' Mess and Suites for optimal performance in line with the set objectives and desired end state. I am aware of the challenges you face in terms of high electricity tariff and fuel costs. We shall continue to explore all options to mitigate these challenges." he said
He noted that considerable efforts and funding have been deployed towards providing new accommodation for officers and soldiers in various formations and units towards improving Nigerian Army infrastructure and facilities in various barracks, offices, and institutions.
The COAS added that the Army Officers' Mess and Suites were not left out in this regard, he has charged the Army Headquarters Department of Special Services and Programs to ensure proper maintenance of facilities in all the Army Officers' Messes and Suites.
"This is to ensure that key areas of concern are addressed to enhance their functionality and efficiency. The importance of efficient coordination and profitable management of all Nigerian Army welfare investments is critical to their development and sustainability.
General Lagbaja said that continuous training to solve existing problems and develop initiative options for emerging challenges remain the panacea for growth and development in any endeavor.
"This is prominently captured in my command philosophy, which is to transform the Nigerian Army into a well-trained, equipped, and highly motivated force towards achieving our constitutional responsibilities within a joint environment.
He assured that the Nigerian Army will leave no stone unturned in providing the welfare and sound administration essential for personnel to execute their tasks seamlessly.
"As we continue to provide the resources and enabling environment for efficient administration and effective operations, personnel must reciprocate with total commitment to duty and absolute loyalty to constituted authority.
The COAS said the Army Officers' Mess and Suites have continued to offer subsidized guest accommodation, recreation, and entertainment supports to customers, and have undoubtedly achieved their set goals and objectives. As it has been noted, Army Officers' Mess and Suites currently exist only in eight locations around the country.
"However, considerations are ongoing to expand our reach by establishing Army Officers' Mess and Suites in major cities in all the geopolitical zones across the country.
"A three-star hotel is currently at the completion stage in Ibadan, with another 40 keys hotel projected for Kaduna. Other guest houses are planned to achieve some balance while getting the best of our domestic market." he said
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chief Host, Chief of Special Services and Programs, Major General Henry Wesley, the Nigerian Army has continued to improve on the services provided by the existing Officers' Mess and Suites with potential to expand its footprints in other major cities across the country.
Maj General Wesley said this has compelled the Department to focus on improving and repositioning the Army Officers' Mess and Suites for competitive service delivery and profitability through general improvements. In this regard, the Department hosted its maiden annual Army Officers' Mess and Suites Stakeholders' Conference in September 2022.
He noted that the conference provided an opportunity for extensive engagement and dilation of ideas among the stakeholders of Officers' Mess and Suites, stakeholders, professionals, and experts in the hospitality industry. This led to measurable impacts on operations. "I am happy to report that with the permission of the Chief of Army Staff, our Officers' Mess and Suites that did not measure up in critical areas have had their lease agreement terminated.
"I am happy to report that the affected Officers' Mess and Suites have been restored to function effectively and efficiently with measurable improvements. Therefore, riding on the gains of the last Stakeholders' Conference, and especially the approval of the Chief of Army Staff, we are gathered here today for the year 2024 annual Army Officers' Mess and Suites Conference. "he said
Maj. Gen Wesley stressed that the Army Officers' Mess and Suites remains a welfare investment put in place by the Nigerian Army to provide secure and subsidized hotel accommodation for members of the Nigerian Army in particular and the armed forces in general when they travel out of station.
SpyeTV News reports that the first lecture focused on quality management and customer retention in the hospitality industry, while the second lecture focused on property management in the industry.
In attendance were principal staff, officers, and those in representative capacity, the directors at the Army Headquarters, other directors and heads of independent establishments, senior officers, resource persons, representatives from all Officers' Mess and Suites across the country, and reputable players in the hospitality industry, regulators and professionals, as well as others who are invited to interact, share ideas and experiences that will help to explore better ways to efficiently manage Officers' Mess and Suites and provide better services.