TUNDE BOLAJI – MINNA.
The General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Maiyeranso Lander David Saraso, commissioned multiple projects at 18 Brigade Litani Barracks Bida Niger State during his administrative visit to the Barrack on 26 Jan 2025.
Projects commissioned include a Hall of Heroes building named after the immediate past Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TA Lagbaja.
The project was initiated and funded by Commander 18 Brigade Brigadier General Taiye Ahmed as an honor and remembrance monument for the gallant officers and soldiers of the brigade who paid the supreme price in the line of duty during various operations within the Brigade Area of Responsibility.
The building consists of a Heroes Hall with portraits of all the deceased gallant officers and soldiers of the brigade, an arcade for laying the wreaths, and framed relevant quotations on the honor and sacrifices of deceased personnel.
There is also a planned green area outside the building where trees are planted in honor of the deceased personnel.
During the commissioning, the GOC extolled the insight of the Commander for initiating such an impactful project.
He also conducted a maiden wreath-laying ceremony at the event in conjunction with the widows of 2 of the deceased officers.
The GOC also commissioned 2 units of three-bedroom flats for officers, a block of 2 bedroom flats of ten units (10 families) for Senior Non-commissioned Officers as well as another block of 2 rooms of 10 units for Corporals and below soldiers as well as a complex housing the Brigade’s Arms Store and the Magazine.
These 3 projects were among ongoing Army Headquarters infrastructural interventions for the barracks. He thereafter unveiled a signpost for the brigade by the barracks gate, also constructed by Brig Gen Taiye Ahmed.
General Saraso earlier received a brief on the activities of the brigade from the Commander 18 Brigade at the brigade Commander’s office before addressing the officers and soldiers at the parade ground.
In the address, the GOC conveyed the Chief of Army Staff goodwill messages, which centered on the “soldiers first” policy. He then charged troops to redouble their efforts to further consolidate the successes being recorded in their operations.
He also used the opportunity of the visit to interact with barracks women where he appreciated them for their steadfastness and sacrifices.
The last event in the GOC itinerary was at the Historical Palace of Etsu Nupe, where he paid a courtesy call to His Royal Highness Alhaji (Dr) Yahaya Abubakar CFR. At the Palace, Gen Saraso expressed his appreciation to the revered traditional ruler for his support for the Nigerian Army in general and the troops at Litani Barracks Bida in particular.
He reiterated the pivotal role of the traditional institutions in the attainment of peace and security in the country.
The Royal Father appreciated the GOC for his visit and expressed his satisfaction with the conduct and contributions of the troops of 18 Bde in the Emirate. He urged the GOC to convey his greeting and prayers to the COAS. The event was hitch-free.
