NADCEL 2026: COAS Commissions Schools, Town Hall, Borehole in Rivers

By Zainab Uzomah | Abuja

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has commissioned a series of community development projects in Rivers State, reaffirming the Nigerian Army’s commitment to strengthening civil-military relations through people-centred security initiatives.

The projects, inaugurated on Sunday as part of activities marking the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2026, include renovated community secondary schools in Obio/Akpor and Khana Local Government Areas, a community town hall in Oyigbo Local Government Area, and a solar-powered borehole in Degema Local Government Area.

Speaking during the commissioning, Lieutenant General Shaibu said the interventions reflected the Army’s commitment to addressing both security and developmental needs in host communities through its Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) programme.

He said sustainable security extends beyond military operations and depends on collaboration with communities, improved living conditions and public trust.

According to the COAS, the Nigerian Army has executed more than 250 intervention projects across the country, including hospitals, classrooms, roads, ICT centres, solar lighting systems and water facilities. He noted that the renovation of previously dilapidated schools was aimed at providing safer learning environments and promoting long-term peace through education.

Shaibu urged beneficiary communities to protect and maintain the facilities, while expressing appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support towards improving the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army. He reaffirmed the commitment of Army personnel to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and upholding the Constitution.

Earlier, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (Army), Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi, said the projects were executed under the Army’s Civil-Military Cooperation Programme to improve infrastructure and strengthen relationships with host communities. He added that the four projects were distributed across the three senatorial districts of Rivers State to ensure equitable impact.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Honourable Gift Worlu, described the projects as transformative, saying the renovated schools would improve learning conditions and restore hope to students and teachers.

The commissioning formed part of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2026, which highlights the Army’s operational achievements and its contribution to community development across the country.