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By Emma Sunday
The Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Friday inaugurated several signature projects at the Port Harcourt Barracks of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, as part of activities to mark the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration, NADCEL, ahead of the grand finale scheduled for Monday, July 6, 2026, in Port Harcourt.
The facilities commissioned include the 6 Division Kannel and Administrative Centre, a detention facility, 12 units of 2-bedroom flats for Senior Non-Commissioned Officers, SNCQ, the 58 Signal RSM House, the 6 Division Soldiers’ Club, and the unveiling of the ‘Waidi Shaibu Headquarters’ Monument.
The COAS, accompanied by other generals from Army Headquarters, was conducted round the barracks by the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander, Operation DELTA SAFE, Major General Emmanuel Emekah.
Speaking shortly after the commissioning, General Shaibu said the projects were deliberately targeted at improving the living and working conditions of troops and their families, noting that welfare remains central to operational effectiveness.
He said the accommodations and recreational facilities were designed to add direct value to the formation hosting the anniversary and to impact soldiers and their families positively.
“As you know, we are celebrating the 163rd anniversary of the Nigerian Army. As part of activities lined up to celebrate this unique occasion, some of these projects were commissioned.
“All these activities are to add value to the formation hosting the celebration, and also to impact our soldiers and their families positively. Of course, the accommodation is for them and their families,” the COAS stated, emphasizing that troop welfare must translate into tangible infrastructure.
General Shaibu said prioritizing soldiers’ welfare is now a deliberate institutional policy aimed at boosting morale, retention, and performance across formations.
He noted that improved housing, functional administrative centres, and welfare facilities reduce the burden on troops and allow them to focus on their constitutional responsibilities without distraction.
According to him, the “soldier-first culture” being reinforced by Army Headquarters means that commanders at all levels must ensure personnel are adequately catered for, from decent accommodation to welfare structures that support family life within barracks.
He added that the Army Headquarters remains committed to sustaining investments that place personnel well-being at the core of military administration.
The COAS commended Major General Emekah for prioritizing the welfare of officers and soldiers, saying the scale and quality of projects executed by 6 Division reflected good leadership and a clear commitment to caring for troops.
“In all this, we appreciate the efforts of the General Officer Commanding 6 Division and Land Component Commander, Operation DELTA SAFE. The projects we commissioned today show that his leadership is good, and also every other thing that has been done here to ensure that we care for the soldiers and their welfare,” Shuaibu said.
He also commended officers and soldiers for their commitment to their constitutional mandate, reiterating that the Army Headquarters would continue to reinforce the “soldier-first” culture through targeted welfare interventions, improved infrastructure, and policies that recognize the sacrifices of personnel and their families.
