The Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, on Tuesday, hosted the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, alongside his wife and senior military officers, to a state banquet in Abakaliki. The event underscored the enduring partnership between the Ebonyi State Government and the Nigerian Army in advancing national security, peace, and sustainable development.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Nwifuru expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Nigerian Army for its steadfast sacrifices in safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity and maintaining peace throughout the nation. He described the establishment of the Depot Nigerian Army, Amasiri-Edda, as a strategic national asset that will not only strengthen the Army’s force generation and operational readiness but also reinforce security architecture in the South-East, while assuring the Army of the state’s continued support.
In his remarks, the COAS expressed profound appreciation to the Ebonyi State Government and the people of the state for their steadfast commitment to the successful establishment of the Depot Nigerian Army, Amasiri-Edda. He noted that the institution will significantly enhance manpower development, improve training standards and strengthen the Nigerian Army’s capacity to effectively respond to emerging security threats in line with its constitutional responsibilities.
Lieutenant General Shaibu further reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to sustaining both kinetic and non-kinetic operations through intelligence-driven engagements, robust civil-military cooperation, and enhanced collaboration with other security agencies and local communities. He emphasized that enduring security can only be achieved through collective action and mutual trust between the military and the citizens.
The banquet, attended by senior government officials, traditional rulers, security stakeholders and other distinguished guests, featured cultural performances and goodwill messages celebrating the shared resolve of the Ebonyi State Government and the Nigerian Army to deepen strategic collaboration in promoting national unity, regional stability, and lasting peace.