The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s emphasis on operational readiness and soldiers’ welfare as the Nigerian Army Women’s Command, Giri, Abuja, commissioned four refurbished operational vehicles and a renovated Soldiers’ Club.
Desk: Defence & Security
Date: 21 September 2026
Time: 16:15 WAT
Location: Giri, Abuja, Nigeria
Author: Nokai Origin
The COAS, who was Special Guest of Honour at the ceremony and represented by the Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, commended the Command for the projects, noting the importance of reliable vehicles to personnel mobility and operational deployment.
The Chief of Army Staff’ said the refurbished vehicles would support the movement of personnel, equipment and logistics, while the renovated Soldiers’ Club would provide an improved environment for welfare, relaxation, recreation and social interaction.
He urged personnel to ensure proper use and maintenance of the vehicles, stressing that the assets must be protected and managed responsibly in accordance with military regulations.
The COAS also emphasised the importance of personnel welfare to military effectiveness, noting that the Soldiers’ Club would provide space for relaxation and interaction while supporting morale and cohesion among personnel and their families.
He commended the officers, soldiers, civilian staff, contractors and other stakeholders whose contributions made the projects possible and urged the Command to sustain the facilities through proper maintenance.
From Vehicle Readiness To Operational Responsiveness
In his welcome remarks, the outgoing Commander, Nigerian Army Women’s Command, Brigadier General Mohammed Sani Adamu, explained how the Command’s vehicle refurbishment programme had strengthened its ability to respond to operational requirements.
Brigadier General Adamu recalled that the Command had, on June 25, 2026, re-operationalised 12 vehicles, comprising two coaster buses and 10 key operational vehicles, as part of efforts to improve its mobility.
He pointed to the security challenge in Jos, Plateau State, on April 14, 2026, as an example of why such readiness mattered.
According to him, the Chief of Army Staff directed the deployment of a company from the Women’s Command to Plateau State, with the personnel expected to move the following morning.
Adamu said the Command’s available vehicles and operational preparedness enabled the troops to mobilise as directed and support efforts to restore peace in the affected area.
He said the experience reinforced the need to keep the Command’s vehicles serviceable and available whenever the Army requires its personnel to deploy.
The four coaster buses commissioned during the ceremony had previously been in poor condition. Adamu noted that some of the vehicles had been issued to the Command as far back as 2018 and had remained in service without even having their tyres replaced.
He said the quality of the refurbishment was evident when an Executive Director who inspected the vehicles initially asked whether they were newly acquired.
The First Soldier At The Centre
Adamu also linked the renovation of the Soldiers’ Club to the Army’s First Soldier philosophy, stressing that welfare must remain a central consideration in the management of personnel.
He said the facility had previously suffered from inadequate lighting and sanitation and was not suitable for soldiers to relax, interact or receive guests.
Following the renovation, he said the Command had transformed the facility into a more suitable environment for soldiers and their families.
Adamu stressed that officers depended on soldiers and that commanders must therefore pay attention to the conditions in which personnel live and work.
“It is no longer about us, the officers; it is about the soldiers first.”
He said attention to where soldiers sleep, eat, drink, dress and generally live remained important to their welfare and motivation.
The outgoing commander expressed appreciation to the Department of Army Resources, senior officers, mentors and other stakeholders who supported the projects and the development of the Command.
He also acknowledged the contributions of previous commanders and other personnel who had helped establish and strengthen the formation.
A Women’s Command With A Growing Operational Role
In a post-event interview, Adamu highlighted the wider operational responsibilities undertaken by the Nigerian Army Women’s Command under the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff.
He disclosed that female personnel from the Command had been deployed for peace-support operations in the Republic of Benin under Operation Alafia.
He also cited the deployment of female personnel to Plateau State under Operation Enduring Peace, as well as their participation in election security duties during the recently concluded Osun State election.
Adamu attributed the Command’s expanding operational responsibilities to the direction and enabling environment provided by the Chief of Army Staff.
As he concludes his tenure at the Women’s Command, Adamu said he would proceed to serve as the pioneer commander of the 8 Brigade in Ado-Ekiti.
Strengthening Readiness And Welfare
The commissioning at Giri brought together improvements in two areas central to the Command’s responsibilities: operational mobility and soldiers’ welfare.
The refurbished vehicles provide the formation with improved mobility for deployment and other operational requirements, while the renovated Soldiers’ Club gives personnel a more suitable facility for relaxation and interaction.
The projects therefore mark another stage in the Women’s Command’s efforts to maintain operational readiness while placing practical attention on the welfare of the soldiers expected to deliver on the Army’s responsibilities.
🏷️ Tags: Nigerian Army Women’s Command, Waidi Shaibu, Mohammed Sani Adamu, First Soldier, Operational Readiness, Soldiers’ Welfare, Giri Abuja
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