The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has explained why it named the new army officers accommodation “Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks” after Nigeria’s President.
The newly constructed ‘Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks’ Asokoro, Abuja was inaugurated on Thursday, January 23.
Chronicle NG reported that the project comprises 16 Major General Quarters, 17 Brigadier General Quarters, 3×20 family Major to Colonel Quarters, 30×20 Family Lieutenant to Captain Quarters, and 60×30 Family Senior Non-Commissioned Officers Quarters.
Others are 6×30 Family Corporal and Below Quarters, 40×21 Corporal and Below Quarters.
These translate to accommodation for 614 personnel consisting of 170 officers and 444 soldiers and their families.
Oluyede said that naming the new and modern army barracks after Tinubu was just a humble way of giving honour to whom honour is due.
The COAS thanked President Tinubu for his commitment and passion for ensuring that men and women in uniform had affordable, decent, and befitting accommodation to live while in service.
The COAS said that it was an appreciation of his extraordinary support and commitment to improving the welfare and operational needs of the army, particularly in reducing its accommodation burden.
He said that the barracks project was initiated and executed by his predecessors Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahya and Late Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, who recognised the critical need for additional accommodation for the increasing number of Nigerian Army establishments in Abuja.
Oluyede added that they both took the bold step to initiate the construction of the officers accommodation.
“Today, we celebrate the visionary leadership and relentless efforts that created the foundation for us to complete and commission this project,” he said.