The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, Thursday, oversaw the inauguration of COAS Special Intervention Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Projects in Jen community, located within the Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.
These projects, spearheaded by the COAS’s office, encompassed the establishment of a Sports and Cultural Center and a Multi-Purpose Center.
The Sports and Cultural Center, named in honor of Major General Boniface Robert Sinjen, boasts standard facilities such as Basketball and Volleyball courts, a Football pitch, two pavilions each capable of seating 500 people, as well as a Museum and a Conference hall with accompanying offices. Meanwhile, the Multi-Purpose Center was dedicated to Major General Henry Tafida Wesley.
During the commissioning ceremony, General Lagbaja commended the exemplary dedication and contributions of Major Generals Boniface Sinjen and Henry Wesley, both natives of Jen community, for their initiative in executing these projects as a gesture of giving back to their community.
He praised them as diligent senior officers who have garnered both local and international acclaim for their impeccable service to the Nigerian Army (NA) and the nation at large.
Presently, Major General Boniface Sinjen serves as the Chief of Operations (Army), while Major General Henry Wesley holds the position of Chief of Special Services and Programmes (Army).
General Lagbaja clarified that the projects were initiated to provide support to communities of Nigerian Army Senior Officers who have attained the distinguished rank of Major General through their commitment and service to the nation.
He emphasized the importance of viewing Nigerians as crucial partners, underscoring the need to sustain such initiatives to complement state efforts in providing essential amenities and infrastructure for Nigerian communities.
Furthermore, the COAS stressed that these intervention projects serve as a token of appreciation to the beneficiary communities from which the senior officers originate, acknowledging their significant contributions to the NA and encouraging continued support for the service in addressing security challenges.
General Lagbaja expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for his strategic guidance and unwavering support to the NA.
He also thanked Dr. Agbu Kefas, the Governor of Taraba State, and the residents for their collaboration with the NA, urging them to persist in providing timely and valuable information to ensure a safe and secure environment.
During his remarks at the commissioning ceremony, Major General Boniface Sinjen, the Chief of Operations, highlighted that the project forms part of the COAS Special Intervention Civil-Military Cooperation Project, aimed at providing relief to communities in need.
He emphasized the positive impact of such acts of benevolence in garnering support from citizens as force multipliers for troops engaged in combating insecurity across the country.
He envisaged the Sports and Cultural Center nurturing and grooming athletes to represent not only Jen community but also the state and the nation.
The event witnessed the presence of dignitaries including Taraba State Government officials, traditional leaders, Mrs. Mariya Lagbaja, the President of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), along with members of the Association, Principal Staff Officers from the Defence and Army Headquarters, as well as senior serving and retired military and paramilitary officers, among others.
