…REITERATES COMMITMENT IN HIS TRANSFORMATIONAL AGENDA
By Okosun Dennis
The desire to improve the welfare of officers, men, and their immediate families received a further boost on Thursday as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, commissioned a state-of-the-art Nigerian Army Multipurpose Shopping Complex in Bonny Cantonment, Victoria Island, Lagos.
According to him, the complex project is a testament to his administration’s transformational agenda, while providing a befitting shopping arena within its circumference where troops can get essential needs for themselves and their families.
While commissioning the project where the former Mammy Market was located in Bonny Cantonment, Gen Lagbaja said he was challenged to embark on the project after the Nigerian Army Engineers conceptualized it and got the support of the NA headquarters.
The 209 locked-up shops, 29 open cubicles, Restaurants and Bars, an Abattoir, Management office, conveniences, a well-laid-out drainage system, and portage water, were designed and constructed by the Nigerian Army Engineers.
Explaining his unflinching and unwavering commitment to prioritize the enhancement of both the operational capabilities and welfare of the Nigerian Army through innovative initiatives, Gen Taoreed Lagbaja noted that one of the main pillars of his command philosophy is what manifested in the commission of the shopping mall.
On what motivated the transformation of the old relics of the Mammy Market to modern edifice, Gen Lagbaja explained that “The Nigerian Army is transforming and the transformation process is holistic; not only in terms of equipment procurement, we are training our men on new skills and competences.
“The transformation process is designed to get into our Cantonments and barracks, essential welfare support to the families of our personnel. Adding that the transformation process extends to areas of education, electricity provision, and infrastructural support.
“Before now, this landscape negatively impacted coupled with the deplorable Mammy market that existed here, and considering the nature of this environment; being at the core of Lagos Island which overlooks the Atlantic waterfront, the Nigerian Army Engineers came up with a concept that this landscape could be transformed to a modern shopping mall.
“The whole essence is not only to provide essential welfare support for our soldiers but also to impact positively on our barracks as it complements all the beautiful edifices around like the Federal Palace and Eko Hotels and all other landmarks on this harbour shore.”
Poised to ensure that troops are maximally comfortable, Gen Lagbaja disclosed that within the last 10 months in office as the COAS, he undertook notable interventions, adding more of such impactful welfare would be embarked upon to make the troops enjoy the most conducive environment in consonance with their daily sacrifices they make to defend the nation.
The Army Chief, therefore, called on the management of the mall to subsidize the shops for officers, men, and their families. In light of that and providing quality quarters, he implored NA Engineers to immediately commence the renovations of Blocks 19 and 20 adjacent to the mall.
Describing it as a milestone, he reiterated that the modern facility would catalyze economic growth and development in Bonny Cantonment and its surrounding areas.
“By providing a conducive environment for shopping, dining, and recreation, this shopping mall has the potential to transform Bonny Camp into a vibrant commercial hub that benefits both the military community and society at large.”
Gen Lagbaja commended the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the Minister of Defence as well as the National Assembly Committee members on the Army for their numerous support and budgetary approvals to achieve this milestone.
In his welcome remarks, the Corp Commander, Nigerian Army Engineers, Major General Philip Eromosele commended the COAS for his Leadership role adding that the project began after the previous occupants of Mammy Market were temporarily relocated.
Stressing that the Mammy Market which hitherto was made up of Bachas and temporary structures has been replaced with this NA Shopping Complex, he commended the dexterity of the Director of Works, Brig Gen Jungudo for his teams’ hard work expertise, and dedication which brought this project to fruition.
“From the initial planning stages to the final construction phase, your unwavering commitment to excellence has been instrumental in transforming this vision into reality. I commend every one of you for your tireless efforts and dedication.”
In his brief project profile, the Director of Works, Brig Gen AM Jungudo said the construction was segmented into several stages from the landscaping, interlocking, planting of flowers, installation of solar street lights, and parameter fencing, noting that the edifice was birth out of the desire of the COAS.
Present at the commissioning was the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Mohamed Usman, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Apapa, Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Airforce Base, Ikeja, NAFRC Commandant, Oshodi, Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Corp Commanders and Brigade Commanders, the National President, (NAOWA), Mrs. Maria Abiodun Lagbaja and civilians’ friends of the Army.
The project started on the 4th of September 2023 after the old dilapidated structures of the Mammy Market were demolished paving the way for the ultra-modern Nigerian Army Multipurpose Shopping Complex.
