By Balarabe Oshiafi
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General TA Lagbaja, has commissioned the official residence of the Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) of the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN).
The event took place at the College Quarters in Abuja, with representatives from various key departments in attendance, including the AHQ Department of Training, AHQ Garrison, AHQ Logistics, and the Department of Special Projects.
The Army revealed this in a release signed by the College Public Relations Officer, Major Hashimu Sa’ad Abdullahi.
In his remarks at the commissioning ceremony, the COAS, who was represented by the Commandant Army War College Nigeria, Major General Ishaya Buba Maina, emphasized the vital role of RSMs in the management of soldiers.
He highlighted their crucial responsibility in instilling discipline, as well as promoting the ethos, traditions and doctrinal values of the Nigerian Army among personnel in formations and units.
The COAS acknowledged that the service discipline and experiential knowledge imparted by RSMs to soldiers form the foundation of trust and confidence, ultimately enhancing the stability of formations and units throughout the Nigerian Army.
General Maina further elaborated on the significance of the commissioning, stating that it aligns with the COAS’ command philosophy, which places premium on the welfare of the troops as well as the prestige of the RSM’s office.
As a symbolic gesture, he officially handed over the keys to the newly constructed residence to Army Warrant Officer (AWO) Mohammed Kinging, the RSM Army War College Nigeria.
The Acting Director of Project and Monitoring, Nigerian Army Special Projects Lieutenant Colonel A Enias provided details about the project, describing it as a three-bedroom bungalow with all en-suite facilities.
The residence includes a main lounge, dining area, kitchen with a store, a 15 KVA generator, and a 3.5 KVA solar system to serve as an alternative power source. Other notable amenities include a dedicated car park and a robust industrial borehole with both ground and overhead water storage tanks.
Additionally, the residence has been tastefully furnished to provide a comfortable and functional living environment.
He revealed that the Nigerian Army has undertaken the construction and furnishing of a total of 72 RSM Houses, with 66 of them completed to date.
Highlight of the event included the presentation of the house keys to the College RSM, a tour of the residence and group photograph to commemorate the occasion.
