Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Olufemi Oluyede
By AMOS MATTHEW, Kaduna –
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has commissioned a renovated multipurpose science laboratory at Government Day Secondary School Jaji, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna state, as part of activities lined up in commemoration of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2025 (NADCEL).
The project is part of the Nigerian Army’s Civil-Military Cooperation initiative to improve the lives and educational standard of the host communities.
The laboratory was renovated and equipped with modern equipment, including physics, biology, and chemistry equipment and consumables. A solar-powered borehole was also revamped to supply water directly to the lab and school.
Additionally, a 5KVA power generating set was installed to provide electricity supply to the laboratory, and a fire extinguisher was provided to cater for fire emergencies.
Speaking at the commissioning on Friday in Jaji, Kaduna State, Oluyede said the project reflects the Nigerian Army’s commitment to education and nation-building.
Oluyede, represented by Maj.-Gen. Kelvin Aligbe, the Commander Training and Doctrine Command,, emphasised the importance of education in shaping the future of the nation and urged the students to make the most of the facility.
The COAS also acknowledged the support of President Bola Tinubu for his relentless and magnanimous support to the Nigerian Army.
He also appreciated the Kaduna State government and the people of Jaji for their continued support to the Nigerian Army.
The COAS urged the students to maintain the facilities to enhance the educational well-being of the current students and prospective learners.
He also assured the community that the Nigerian Army would continue to sustain the non-kinetic line of operations, executing responsive, quick-impact projects that would ameliorate the challenges of communities within their areas of operation and beyond.
The Army chief also reiterated his resolve to provide the required leadership and operational enablers for the troops to get the job done.
Also speaking, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Maj.-Gen. Gold Chibuisi, equally said the project was a testament to the Army’s commitment to providing quality education to the host communities.
Chibuisi, represented by Brig.-Gen. BS Keji, added that the project was part of Nigerian Army’s commitment to national unity, operational excellence, and cordial civil-military relations.
He appreciated COAS for his visionary leadership and approval of resources for the project.
He also thanked the school authority and the entire people of Jaji for protecting the facility throughout the duration of the project.
It could be recalled that the project commenced on April 7, 2025, with site preparation, followed by masonry works, and the installation of reinforced concrete columns, beams, and roofing sheets.
The Nigerian Army also constructed walkways with kerbs and interlocks around the building, planted trees for shade and wind protection, rendered and painted the walls for aesthetics.
