By ERIC MOORE
THE General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam has reaffirmed that 6 Division under his watch will continue to prioritize the welfare of officers, soldiers and their families.
Major General Abdussalam stated this when he unveiled the Nigerian Army Post Exchange (NAPEX) Supermarket at Python Shopping Mall, Port Harcourt Barracks, Rivers State at the weekend.
The GOC, who was the Special Guest of Honour, further stated the operationalization of the Mall represents a critical step in the ongoing efforts to improve the welfare of troops and their families in Port Harcourt Barracks.
He emphasized that the 6 Division will continue to place high premium on efforts that promote sound administration and personnel welfare in line with the numerous activities of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), such as Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers and many other people-centered welfare packages.
Major General Abdussalam also hinted that the Nigerian Army (NA) has concluded arrangements to set up a gas plant in the barracks.
He said this will afford the barracks community easy access to cooking gas at a reasonable cost while getting value for their money.
Speaking further, the GOC maintained that these efforts are in line with engendering sound administration, a key pillar of the COAS, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja’s command philosophy.
The GOC stated that NAPEX has a proud and long tradition in NA of providing shopping experience to troops at flexible and affordable rates.
He used the medium to reassure the COAS that the Division will continue to drive his command philosophy through impactful projects aimed at improving the effectiveness of Nigerian Army operations in service to the fatherland.
Earlier in his remarks, the Group Managing Director, Nigerian Army Welfare Limited by Guarantee, Major General Samson Jiya, stated that the importance of welfare for effective management of the fighting troops cannot be over emphasized.
He added that the NA under the leadership of the COAS has raised the bar high in areas of troops welfare.
He further stated that the Python Shopping Mall, and indeed the newly established NAPEX Supermarket, were in line with the COAS command philosophy.
According to him, this will continue to have a positive impact on the lives of personnel, their families, and the entire barracks community.
Major General Jiya stated that recently, Petroleum Gas Plant was commissioned at Headquarters 2 Division, that has direct impact on troops and their families.
He thanked the GOC, 6 Division for the initiative to have established Python Shopping Mall, that houses NAPEX.
He urged troops and their families to patronise the services that would be provided at the mall, adding that the NAPEX Supermarket would be run by Bakan Gizo Pharmacy and Stores Limited.
While delivering his vote of thanks, the Managing Director, NAPEX, Brigadier General George Nkenke, thanked the GOC for the initiative that have improved the wellbeing of the troops and their families.
He added that this will boast the morale and fighting spirits of troops.
Brigadier General Nkenke commended the Managing Director of Bakan Gizo Pharmacy and Stores, Mr Ifeanyi Obidike, for partnering with NAPEX, urging officers, soldiers, and families to patronize the Mall.
Major highlights of the events were unveiling of NAPEX signage, facility tour, presentation of souvenirs, and group photographs.