The Nigerian Army has presented houses to 20 wounded in action soldiers in Abuja in continuation of efforts to advance the welfare of its Personnel.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, presented the keys to the beneficiaries on Wednesday during the inauguration of the Nigerian Army Housing Units under the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers Scheme.

In his remarks, the CDS charged other services to key into the project and provided housing units to all ratings and airmen.

Musa described the project as a true testament to the untiring efforts of the Late Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, who had continuously advanced the welfare of army personnel.

He commended the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, for continuing with the scheme, ensuring that more houses will be built for interested subscribers.

“The importance of owning a decent shelter in a soldiers’ life cannot be overstated as it promises stability, security and peace of mind, enabling them to focus fully on their duties,” he said.

Musa said the project aligns with the vision of the Renewed Hope Cities and Estate Scheme of the President Bola Tinubu that every citizen deserves a home, adding that the military personnel must not be left out.

He urged the Nigerian army to embark on more projects of this kind in the FCT and other parts of the country, adding that such projects would foster overall development, enhance security and bring socio-economic benefits to the residents.

“Initiatives like this, does not only improve the welfare of personnel but also strengthen the bond between the military and the civilian population.

“By prioritising infrastructure and development, the Nigerian army continues to play a pivotal role in nation building.

“May I at this juncture, recognize and thank the governors of Akwa Ibom and Edo State for allocating land in their states for the scheme.

“I also want to on behalf of the NA solicit all other governors to allocate land to the Nigerian Army to build houses for soldiers as land in Abuja will not be sufficient to build for all the personnel,” he added.

In his remarks, the COAS, Lt.-Gen. Oluyede, said the project was initiated by the late COAS Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja as part of his sound administrations philosophy.

He said that the late army chief believed strongly that soldiers were the bedrock of the army, made soldier the foundation of his command philosophy and prioritised the completion of the project.

Oluyede said the project represented a landmark achievement in service’s ongoing efforts to enhance the welfare and well-being of soldiers and their families.

He said the Idu Abuja phase 1 of the AHOOAS project is a pilot project and it took only 15 months of direct labor to complete.

“The objective is primarily to support the dream of every soldier to acquire suitable and befitting post-service living accommodation in their location of choice from the available site options.

“It is believed that the affordable home ownership option for all soldiers will eventually alleviate the housing challenges of our soldiers.

“The phase one of this project will house 400 subscribers and their families.

“I am committed to driving the process for the immediate completion of the subsequent phases of this development in Idu, Benin City, Ibadon, and Uyo to deliver on our promises to our soldiers,” he said. (NAN)

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Tuesday explained why the administration will continue to clamp down on illegal settlements in Abuja

Director, Department of Security Services, Adamu Gwary, who disclosed this in Abuja while fielding questions from journalists, said no government would fold its arms and allow illegal settlements.

He added that most of these settlements harbour criminals that cannot be traced once they are in such settlements.

According to Gwary, “So even you can see the situation as it were at that time, you see the population. You will be sure that bad elements always find a circle in such an environment because it’s not a defined location where you can easily trace somebody.

“And as such, the FCT administration deems it necessary to ensure that measures are in place to ensure that we destabilize such settlements that are not recognized. Yes, they are citizens, but all are encouraged to live within a defined location where whatever you do, whatever you have, whatever you say, you can be located. And when you contribute something positively, you can equally be located.

“So the removal of illegal settlements and the occupation of uncompleted buildings is a continual process by our security agencies. There is no way the government will fold its arms to leave things just because somebody claimed that he is a citizen and he has the right to stay where he wants. No, he has the right to stay where the law allowed him to do”.

He noted, “It has to be a registered location. But then you look at the entire area of that location, those of you that are with us, you know that all is not well. Taking into consideration the linear path of the rail facility from the Kukwaba station behind the National Stadium that moved towards the OCC, the main station at Idu, Kukwaba.

“So when you look at that, the entire stretch of that slum is by the rail side. The only thing dividing this is the wall, which they are even removing, which is not only right but a security threat to the operation of the rail facility. And they are the same people that are vandalizing the rail facilities, which recently the FCT administration provided streetlights for the entire stretch of the rail facilities.

“Yet the facility that is meant to illuminate the entire location is still being vandalized. So the elements that are vandalizing and quickly dashing back to such slums are all located. So the administration cannot and will never allow such a thing to exist for the benefit of safety and security of the FCT residents”.

Head, Internal Security, Sunday Olubiyi said the administration has concluded arrangements to fully enforce the ban on hawking around the office premises.

He said the administration has resolved to tighten up security surveillance in and around office premises, to forestall incidences of theft and other crimes.

He noted that the full enforcement will commence immediately by January next year.

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

A loyalist of Dr. Bukola Saraki and former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Bolaji Abdullahi, has resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State.

This was contained in a letter addressed to the chairman of the opposition party in his Ubandawaki Ward of the Ilorin West local government area of the state.

A former Chief Press Secretary to ex-Senate President Bukola Saraki during his days as governor of Kwara State and a close associate of Abdullahi, Mas’ud Adebimpe, confirmed the development in Ilorin

In his resignation letter, Abdullah said that he reached the “difficult decision” after days of reflection and introspection.

“I write to formally resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I have had ample time to reflect and I have come to the difficult conclusion that this is the only tenable option for me at this time,” the letter read in part.

“Mr. Chairman, please permit me to express, through you, my gratitude to the leadership of the party for the opportunities that I have had to serve the state and the country on its platform and for the great moments we have shared,” he said.

Speaking on the development, the state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olusola Adewara, described Abdullahi’s resignation from the party as personal.

“We wish the former minister well in his adventures. The decision is personal to him as it is reflected in his letter of resignation and he didn’t state whether the party or our leader offended him in person. So, there’s no ill feeling.

“He chose to come to politics without getting permission from anybody, and if he’s leaving based on his conviction without throwing tantrums at anyone, the party can only wish him good luck in his adventure,” Adewara said.