The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major-General Jamal Abdussalam, has reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to the welfare of its personnel. He urged commanders at all levels to prioritize the well-being of their soldiers and their families.

This declaration was made during the commissioning of various projects at the 343 Artillery Regiment (AR), Elele Barracks in Rivers State. The projects were executed under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Edward Kaan, Commanding Officer of the 343 AR.

Speaking at the event, Major-General Abdussalam highlighted that the projects inaugurated have a direct impact on the quality of life for the troops and their families. He noted that prior to the renovations, soldiers had to share certain facilities. However, with the completion of the remodeling, each room now comes equipped with its own amenities, a development he described as “dignifying.”

The commissioned projects include a 200-meter concrete road linking the senior non-commissioned officers’ quarters to the medical center and junior personnel quarters, an indoor sports and recreation center, a tennis court, and a refurbished squash court.


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The GOC emphasized, “All these projects have a direct bearing on the well-being of our soldiers, and as I told the Commanding Officer, all these things he has done aligned perfectly with the philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Olufemi Oluyede, which is ‘put the soldier first.’”

He reiterated that the “Soldiers First” philosophy is integral to the decisions made by the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) and called on commanding officers to adopt this approach in their operations. Major-General Abdussalam also encouraged commanders to make the most of the resources available to them for the benefit of their troops.

Praising Lieutenant Colonel Kaan for his leadership and initiative, the GOC commended the renovation efforts, which have significantly improved living standards for soldiers and their families. He urged the occupants of the renovated block to maintain the facility, stating, “To whom much is given, much is expected.”

Lieutenant Colonel Kaan expressed gratitude to the GOC and senior officers present at the event. He explained that the decision to renovate the 30-room block stemmed from its poor condition and aligned with the CoAS’s “Soldiers First” policy, aimed at improving the welfare of troops.

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