Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has officially commissioned a state-of-the-art medical facility in the 401 Special Forces Brigade in Makurdi, Benue State. The commissioning ceremony took place on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at the Joe Akahan Military Cantonment, located in the capital city of Benue State, Makurdi.
Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, announced in a statement that the facility is a model design for developing other medical facilities within the Nigerian Army.
During the commissioning, General Lagbaja highlighted the upgraded labour and maternity wards within the cantonment, emphasising their importance in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates by providing essential equipment and facilities for pregnant women.
He assured that with the new medical facility, women of childbearing age within the cantonment should feel reassured about their health and safety during childbirth.
General Lagbaja also revealed that similar upgrades have commenced in medical centres within other brigade locations, such as Lokoja and Ikeja Cantonment in Lagos, with plans for the Gibson Jalo Cantonment in Yola to follow suit.
He stressed that these interventions are part of broader efforts to enhance the welfare facilities of the Nigerian Army in alignment with his command philosophy.
The COAS stated the significance of supporting troops on the home front and providing adequate welfare packages to boost morale, believing that well-supported troops are pivotal in safeguarding the nation from internal and external threats.
Expressing gratitude, General Lagbaja acknowledged the support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government, as well as the Ministry of Defence’s leadership and the Chief of Defence Staff for their guidance and encouragement.
He also thanked various well-meaning Nigerians who have independently contributed to improving barracks’ infrastructure and amenities.
Major General Hillary Nzan, Commander of the 4 Special Forces Command, commended the COAS for initiating the medical facility project, noting its potential to benefit both the military and civilian communities.
The medical centre, which operates off the national grid, is equipped with a 150KVA solar smart inverter system and a 100KVA diesel-powered generator for backup during adverse weather conditions. Additionally, its Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is furnished with basic life support machines to stabilize patients before referral to advanced tertiary facilities if necessary.
