The ancient city of Alesi in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River today Friday, July 12, 2024 went agog with jubilation as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja commissioned Solar Powered Industrial Borehole at Alesi village.
The project which was executed to honour one of the sons of the community, Major General Hillary Nzan under the COAS Special Intervention CIMIC Project is aimed at fostering excellent civil-military relations between the Nigerian Army and its public.
Speaking at commissioning the COAS who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division Major General Hassan Dada lauded the remarkable contributions and dedication of Major General Hillary Nzan to the Nigerian Army.
This is contained in a statement signed by Major Oladimeji Alimi the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations
4 Special Forces Command .
He said the senior officer is a highly industrious and diligent officer who has earned wide admiration in recognition of his unblemished service to the NA and the nation at large.
General Lagbaja accentuated that the special intervention project is a means of appreciating communities that senior officers of the rank of Major General hail from. To applaud the community for giving the nation their very best to serve in the NA.
In his own remarks, the Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Army Headquarters, Major General Nosa Ugbo stated that the project is part of the COAS Special Intervention project to foster Civil-Military Cooperation and to give succour to communities in need. He highlighted that the project will provide healthy and portable water to the community.
Earlier in his welcome address, the executor of the project, Major General Hillary Nzan, thanked the COAS for his purposeful leadership, which has led to successful operations recorded by the NA under his command. He then called on the Alesi community to continue to give support to the NA in all its engagements.
In his vote thanks on behalf of the community, the community leader, Mr Odigha Odigha said the intervention project has direct relevance to the needs of the Alesi people, revealing that the Alesi community previously lack source of portable water. He further stated that this project will bring the desired relief to women and children who bear the burden of trekking long distances to fetch water from streams.
The event was attended by Honourable member representing Ikom 1 in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon Victor Abang, the Commissioner of Humanitarian Affairs Cross River State, Hon Helen Edogo. Others are the Coordinator, Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association, Mrs Nzan, the Acting Commander, Operation whirl stroke, Brigadier General Louis Lepdung, senior officers both serving and retired, community Head of Alesi community and its citizens among others.
The highlights of the event were the conferment of chieftaincy title “NTUN NFINA’ANIA, meaning “Leader of People” on the COAS, the symbolic cutting of the commissioning tape and unveiling of the project commemorative plaque as well as Alesi cultural display to climax the memorable event.