The Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, on Friday inaugurated a 1,200-capacity auditorium he facilitated at Abalti Army Barracks, Surulere, Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports, the auditorium, named Bola Tinubu Hall, is one of the projects facilitated by the Chief of Staff at the barracks.
The move reflects an ongoing trend of expanding the concept of “dividends of democracy” to include the military and security forces, whose roles have evolved beyond traditional warfare to internal security and civil stability.
As Nigeria continues to face complex security challenges, from insurgency to civil unrest, government efforts to recognise and improve military welfare are critical.
At the inauguration, Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, said the military deserved better recognition and dividends of democracy even when they do not ask like the electorate.
He said: “The military has done so well in stabilising this country and this democracy.
“And that is why when you talk about dividends of democracy, normally it is the civilians, our people, our electorate that talk about and ask for dividends of democracy.
“But you guys don’t ask for it. It is given to you naturally because we understand the role you play in Nigeria.
“If you are doing that, it behoves us, as elected officials, and unelected officials, as I am now, to make sure that you live in a comfortable environment, that you operate within a comfortable environment that will make your work easier.
“That’s why we commission projects here regularly. This is another one of them: an over 1,000 capacity hall, it is furnished, fully air-conditioned, with an 80 kVA generator, and it is ultra-modern.
“And why do we do that? We do that because the army, the military, is an integral part of any democracy.”
According to him, without security, there cannot be democracy.
Gbajabiamila conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s leadership commitment to the welfare and well-being of the officers and men of the military.
He expressed the President’s gratitude for the role the men and women in the military play, and for sacrificing, sometimes even paying the supreme sacrifice, to keep the country one.
According to him, the facility allows the military to host events, to do training and conferences, as well as help to generate revenue.
Gbajabiamila added that he was working to pull down the old bungalows in the barracks and replace them with a multi-storey residential building, “which will be our next project for this barracks”.
He added that efforts had been made to build and inaugurate an ultra-modern new residential building at the nearby police barracks, “Yours is coming, too”.
He added, “I want to thank you for all that you have been doing, not just in Surulere, but for what you’ve been doing for everyone, even outside Surulere.
“We thank you for how you have been able to maintain peace and security within Surulere.
“The traditional role of the military, even constitutionally, is to protect the territorial integrity of our country, but sometimes you are called upon to step outside that traditional role to maintain internal security.
“And not once have you wavered in that call to duty. May God continue to bless you. May God continue to keep all of you.
“May you continue to serve your motherland dutifully, responsibly, and with the same commitment and faith that Nigeria will continue to be one. Nigeria will continue to be strong.”
According to him, the nation’s democracy is growing and doing well, noting that the President has a full commitment towards the welfare of the men and women in uniform.
“I have served many presidents, I have seen many presidents, and I have worked with many presidents. They all have the same commitment towards our men and women in uniform. They all have a commitment towards you.
“But I have not seen one that has the kind of commitment, the kind of passion, like President Bola Tinubu does for you,” he added.
Speaking, Mr Muiz Dosunmu, the Vice Chairman, Surulere Local Government, who described the council as the best in Nigeria, said that the council had been relating peacefully with the Abalti Barracks community.
He said that the cooperation and collaboration between the two parties had facilitated many notable projects in the barracks.
“Surulere is leading in all facets: development, education, sports, and health infrastructure. We have tried to be the best, and people can see, we don’t need to blow our trumpet unnecessarily.
“We believe we can do more than we are doing, and we promise to do more than what we are doing. We are not leaving any man behind; everybody is being carried along, involved, and integrated, as advised by the chief of staff to the President.
“We keep promising that we will always be the vocal point of whatever is happening in Nigeria,” he said.
He applauded Gbajabiamila for doing his best not for the council alone, but for the state and the country.
In his keynote address, the Director of the Nigerian Army Corps, Lt.-Col. Michael Toriola, who described Gbajabiamila as a role model, philanthropist, and a man with a good heart, commended the chief of staff’s vision and commitment to the welfare of the military.
Toriola applauded Gbajabiamila for building the Hall and other projects that had been put in place in the barracks out of his magnanimity.
“Sir, we appreciate you. This is a true reflection of your commitment to the well-being of officers, our family, and men. It underscores the importance of creating an environment where we can perform and thrive.
“The completion of this facility (Bola Tinubu Hall) goes beyond mere infrastructure; it represents progress, professionalism, and a deep pride in service.
“As we commission this gigantic hall today, may it stand as a lasting symbol of our shared commitment to excellence and service,” he said.
The event was attended by many APC leaders, including a member representing Surulere Constituency I in the House of Assembly, Mr Desmond Elliot, officers and men of the Nigerian Army.
(NAN)
