The Governor of Ebonyi State, Right Honourable Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has described the establishment of the Depot Nigerian Army, Amasiri-Edda, as a strategic investment that will strengthen national security, enhance stability in the South-East and stimulate socio-economic development in the region.
According to an official signed statement by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, Governor Nwifuru made the remarks on Tuesday while receiving the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, during a courtesy visit to the Ebonyi State Government House.
The Governor said the establishment of the military training institution marked a significant milestone for Ebonyi State and the South-East, noting that it would improve the Nigerian Army’s operational capacity while fostering peace, national unity and economic growth.
He commended the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff and the commitment of Nigerian Army personnel to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and maintaining internal security, adding that the prevailing peace in Ebonyi State has created an enabling environment for development.
Governor Nwifuru also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining a strong partnership with the Nigerian Army, pledging continued support to enable the Service discharge its constitutional responsibilities effectively.
Earlier, Lieutenant General Shaibu explained that his visit to Ebonyi State coincided with the maiden Passing Out Parade of recruits at the Depot Nigerian Army, Amasiri-Edda, describing the event as a historic milestone in the ongoing transformation of the Nigerian Army’s training and force generation architecture.
The COAS said the Depot, the first of its kind in the South-East geopolitical zone, was established in line with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, to strengthen the Army’s operational readiness, expand manpower generation and promote national integration through the equitable distribution of military infrastructure.
According to him, the new Depot represents a strategic national asset that will produce disciplined, professional and combat-ready soldiers capable of addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Lieutenant General Shaibu noted that locating the Depot in the South-East demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening security presence in the region while promoting inclusion, trust and stronger civil-military relations.
He commended the Ebonyi State Government for its consistent support to the Nigerian Army and called for deeper collaboration in intelligence sharing, civil-military cooperation and the protection of critical national assets.
The Army Chief stressed that lasting peace and security can only be achieved through collective efforts involving governments at all levels, security agencies and citizens, reaffirming the Nigerian Army’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity and ensuring a secure environment for national development.
