Nigeria’s junior military personnel will soon have access to 120 new family housing units, thanks to a generous donation from the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), a philanthropic arm of the BUA Group. The groundbreaking ceremony for constructing the two-bedroom homes took place Wednesday at the Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment Giri in Abuja.
The project, estimated to cost N2 billion, is part of the N10 billion Security Support Fund ASR Africa pledged in 2022 to the Nigerian Armed Forces and security agencies, with N2 billion allocated to the Nigerian Army. The initiative aims to improve the welfare and morale of security personnel facing multiple security challenges nationwide.
The CEO of ASR Africa, Dr Ubon Udoh, said the donation supported the security agencies as there can be no meaningful development without peace and security in the nation. He commended the leadership of the Nigerian Army for prioritising the welfare of the men and women of the Nigerian Army and promised continued support by the ASR team in ensuring the full implementation and delivery of the project.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, expressed his appreciation to the Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, for the gesture, adding that it would boost the morale and performance of the personnel in delivering adequate security to Nigerians. He said the houses would substantially address the huge infrastructure deficit the Nigerian Army was facing in Abuja by providing shelter for 120 families of the soldiers.
The housing project is one of the many interventions ASR Africa has undertaken in health, education and social development in Nigeria and other African countries. The foundation has also donated operational vehicles to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), constructed libraries in schools across Ghana, and awarded grants to various state governments for health and education projects.
The security situation in Nigeria has worsened in recent years, with attacks by Islamists and other armed groups, bandits, and secessionists claiming lives and displacing thousands of people. The government has responded with military operations and airstrikes but also faced allegations of human rights violations and excessive use of force.
As Nigeria prepares for the 2023 general elections, the need for peace and stability is paramount. The ASR Africa initiative is a welcome contribution to enhancing the security and well-being of the nation.
Source: Leadership
