National Wire About Nigerians, Nigerian Business and Other Stories
By: Okosun Dennis
The need to adequately provide accommodation and spur pilot officers deployed to deal with terrorists and other criminal gangs, has propelled the 9 Brigade, Ikeja Cantonment to build a well-furnished apartments for army pilots as a motivational impetus.
The unveiling of the plaque was carried out on Thursday evening by the representative of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division Nigerian Army, Maj Gen Olu Irefin, at Nigerian Army Aviation Quarters located at Ikeja Cantonment, Lagos.
The Commander, 9 Brigade, Brig Gen Musa Etsu-Ndagi said the need to make the pilots more comfortable at the home front and prosecute the war against terrorism and other crimes compelled the brigade to embark on the project.
He explained that although only few of the pilots were on ground to witness the inauguration as some were on training, observed that the joy was that they have good accommodation awaiting them on completion of their courses, which would go a long way at making them more focussed and dedicated to duty.
Also commissioned at the Cantonment, was the 9 Brigade Officer’s Mess which has been remodelled to reflect modern architectural ingenuity with the state of arts facilities.
Other projects includes, disinfecting tunnel donated by Hypo company and Corporal below quarters.
Etsu-Ndagi further explained that he drew inspiration from Maj Gen C.O Ude, who was the former Commander of the Premier 1 Brigade, NA, saying his “outstanding achievement was the renovation of 1 Brigade Officer’s Mess.
“As the Chief of Staff, I have since nurtured the dream to renovate the mess anywhere I am privileged to be appointed Brigade Commander. That dream resonated perfectly with the aspirations when the members of 9 Brigade Officer’s Mess pondered on the issue of renovation during the sent forth dinner in honour of my predecessor.
“Drawing inspiration from the COAS, we have gone beyond renovating the mess, we have remodelled it,” Etsu-Ndagi reiterated.
The Mess Secretary, Major Akinola in his remarks explained some of the teething problems they had to grapple with culminating to the renovation.
Present at the ceremony which dovetailed into a dinner were the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, members of the Lagos State Security Council, Airforce and Naval officers, the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 9 Brigade , Major AK Bello and other invited guests.
