The Nigerian Navy has commissioned newly constructed Integrated Motorised Solar Power Industrial Water Borehole Project with 60,000 litre Capacity Water Storage Tank for Bayan Waya Community at Kontagora in Niger State in honour of Rear Admiral Majid Majidadi Ibrahim.
This significant project is part of the Chief of Naval Staff Special Intervention Project Scheme. The Nigerian Navy's impactful initiative reflects a strong and commendable sense of national service and commitment to community development.
In his address, the Special Guest of Honour, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, ably represented by the Chief of Naval Transformation, Rear Admiral Monday Kohwo Unurhiere, said these projects are avenues for the Nigerian Navy to honour its accomplished senior officers and an indication that beyond physically securing lives and properties, they are committed to serving the interests of Nigerians through other ways.
The CNS said the Chief of the Naval Staff, Special Intervention Quick Impact Project undertaken by an illustrious son of Kontagora, Rear Admiral Abdulkareem Majidadi Ibrahim is yet another watershed in the Nigerian Navy civil-military cooperation annals.
He said he is convinced that these projects will enhance the quality of lives in this community, believe that the senior officer and indeed the Nigerian Navy will certainly not be hurriedly forgotten.
"The today's projects include construction of integrated solar-powered motorized industrial borehole with 60,000 Ltrs capacity overhead water tank, provision of water points for the community, perimeter fencing as well as provision of solar lighting units around the perimeter of the site at Bayan Waya Community in Kontagora, Kontagora LGA of Niger State.
"Not only do these projects resonate with the vision of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, it aptly captures the essence for the Quick Impact Projects as conceived by Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, the Chief of the Naval Staff.
"It was Roy T Bennett that said, "Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness of people", and Maya Angelou added, "It takes courage to be kind".
"Indeed, Rear Admiral AM Ibrahim's choice to put smiles on the faces of the community typifies Maya Angelou's avowal that kindness takes courage. We therefore salute the senior officer's mettle and urge him on to more humanitarian endeavours with the novelist Robin Sharma's words that "Each person who delivers kindness stays with us forever".
Commending the senior officer for completing the projects on schedule, the CNS congratulated Rear Admiral Majidadi Ibrahim and the Bayan Waya Community for these noble projects.
He enjoined the beneficiaries to please use the facilities responsibly so they can enjoy. He appealed that in keeping with the tenets of civil-military cooperation, the good people of this Community and Niger State at large continue to collaborate with the Navy, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies as we eliminate threats to our collective well-being.
In his remarks, the Governor of Niger State represented by Commissioner Home Land Security, Niger State, Brigadier General Bello Mohammed (Retired) revealed that in just a Sperm of one year, Niger State have benefited three good time from Nigerian Navy these type of intervention, first electrification of Shaku Town in Lavun Local Government Areaa, then building and modification of School at Adunu in Paikoro LG than today Water project here in Kontagora LGA.
The governor noted that the project commissioned—a Solar-Powered Motorised Industrial Borehole with a 60,000-litre Overhead Tank—is not just a structure but a lifeline.
"It is a testimony to what is possible when security agencies go beyond their traditional mandates to invest in human capital and community welfare through the Chief of Naval Staff Special Intervention Project (CNS-SIP) Scheme.
"This effort also demonstrates the practical value of Civil-Military Relations, which seek to build bridges between our gallant armed forces and the communities they serve. The Navy's response to the people's real needs, especially in the area of water supply, has earned our admiration and sincere gratitude," he said
The governor added that in Niger State, under the New Niger Agenda, is working daily to uplift rural communities through strategic investments in agriculture, infrastructure, health, education, and access to clean water.
"Today's project aligns with these objectives and brings us closer to achieving sustainable development across every ward and village.
"Water is essential to life. It is the bedrock of food security, public health, sanitation, and dignity. This borehole will undoubtedly alleviate the suffering of the people of Bayan Waya and transform daily life, particularly for women, children, and farmers.
He emphasised the importance of community ownership and maintenance. This project, which is now a part of your community, should be guarded jealously, maintained regularly, and used responsibly. As a State, we shall continue to support these kinds of giant developmental strikes and other initiatives by well-meaning organisations such as the Nigerian Navy and the Armed Forces in General.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chief of Naval Safety and Standards and facilitator of the CNS Special Intervention Project in Kontagora, Rear Admiral Majid Majidadi Ibrahim said this project will not be the last of the Chief of the Naval Staff Quick Impact Projects. Other Communities will soon benefit. Each location will have a coordinator in charge of maintenance and an oversight regime under the watchful eyes of the Palace to be initiated.
"So, my beloved people of Kontagora Emirate, this project is ours to cherish, maintain and sustain. Let us take full ownership of it, ensuring that we positively partake in the success story of this project as it serves its purpose for the good of man and for the glory of God.
"A popular African proverb says, "You cannot shave a man's head in his absence". So, when this Quick Impact Project opportunity presented itself, we approached our Royal Father, His Royal Highness the Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Muhammad Bara'u Mu'azu, the Sarkin Sudan of Kontagora, who intimated us that the greatest need of his people currently was clean portable water.
"Subsequently, our Royal Father gave us all the support and encouragement we needed to bring this project to fruition. It is therefore gratifying and very pleasing to state that after 3 months, one week and 6 days, Bayan Waya community is now a proud beneficiary of the Chief of the Naval Staff Special Intervention Quick Impact Project with the commissioning of this Integrated Motorised Solar Powered Industrial Borehole with 60,000 litres capacity overhead Tank", he noted
In his goodwill message, Honourable Umar Sani Black, representing Kontagora 1 Constituency in the House of Representatives, noted that the water project is strategic in many aspects. It will end the perennial water scarcity within the community and its environs, reduce the rate of waterborne diseases within the community and ultimately improve personal hygiene of the people.
"This water project is significant as it is symbolic in Kontagora Emirate because it shows the numerous benefits of a symbiotic relationship between the people and the community, the public and the private. It reminds us the Importance of giving back to the community that reshaped our path to life," he said
The Chief of the Naval Staff Special Intervention Quick Impact Project is carried out in communities and hometowns of serving Rear Admirals. It is a Nigerian Navy Civil Military Cooperation initiative midwifed by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, Admiralty Medal, essentially for the Navy to contribute to the development of selected communities to enhance national development and, by implication, national security in the long run.
