The Nigerian Navy has inaugurated a block of four classrooms in Orhueren Central School, Ozalla Community, Owan West Local Government Area in Edo State.
The fully furnished facilities, unveiled on Tuesday, was part of the ongoing Nigerian Navy’s “Special Intervention Quick Impact Project”.
In his address of welcome, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Idi Abbas said that the project
was part of the ongoing civil-military cooperations.
The CNS was represented at the event by the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Nigerian Navy Logistics Command, Oghara, Delta, Rear Adm. Abiodun Alade.
Abbas said that the special intervention scheme was launched in 2024 to facilitate the attainment of the re-invigorated Nigerian Navy civil-military cooperations mandate.
He added that the essence of the scheme was to contribute to the ongoing Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Traditionally and indeed globally, civil-military cooperations encompasses those activities and interactions between the military and civil society, towards the accomplishments of missions and military strategic objectives.
“These projects are avenues for the Nigerian Navy to honour it’s accomplished senior officers and an indication that beyond physically securing lives and properties, Navy is committed to serving the interest of Nigerians through other means.
“This CNS’s Special Intervention Quick Impact Project undertaken by Rear Adm. James Okosun, an illustrious son of Ozalla Community is yet another watershed in the Nigerian Navy civil-military cooperations annal.
“Today’s project is the construction of a block of four classrooms in Ozalla Community.
“Not only do this project resonates with the vision of President Bola Tinubu, it aptly captures the essence for the Special Intervention Quick Impact Project of the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
The naval chief commended Rear Adm. Okosun for siting the project in his community and expressed hope that the facilitator and indeed the Nigerian Navy would not be hurriedly forgotten.
While enjoining the beneficiaries to make good use of the facilities, Abbas expressed hope that the project would enhance the quality of lives and educational status in the community.
Abbas, however, appealed to the Ozalla Community and the Edo State residents to continue to support the Navy, the Nigeria Armed Forces and other security agencies in the quest to eliminate threats to our collective well-being.
Earlier, in his remark, Okosun, while given a brief history of the project’s conceptualisation, said that the Navy looked at what was the key requirement to ensure the youth of today remember them tomorrow.
“We looked at education as one key aspect. Initially, we thought of going to the secondary school, unfortunately the Senator representing Edo North Senatorial zone had already started a project there.
“It was on that basis, we came back to the palace and the palace directed us to this primary school,” he said.
Okosun said that the Special Intervention Quick Impact Project was a way of enhancing the kinetic efforts of the military in reducing insecurity in the country.
He expressed hope that the fully furnished facilities would be put into good use and by implications enhance the learning standard of the pupils.
In his goodwill message, the King of Ozalla Community, Christopher Atietie, Okpamen XI thanked the Nigerian Navy for the project.
The traditional ruler was represented by his Spokesman, Dr Obaze Osumah.
Also, Mr Ohimai Elijah, the Councillor representing Ozalla Ward One, thanked Rear Adm. Okosun and urged others in the community to emulate him.
On her part, Mrs Iboi Elizabeth, the Head Teacher of Orhueren Central School, thanked the Nigerian Navy and promised that the project would be judiciously used.
In attendance were:
the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, Commodore Abdulazeez Zubairu, naval personnel, traditional chiefs, clerics and community residents.
Highlights of the event was the cutting of tape by Rear Adm. Alade.