COAS Announces Groundbreaking of Military Hospital Project at Amasiri Depot to enhance healthcare and welfare of recruits
By Zagazola Makama
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has expressed optimism over the commencement of a signature military healthcare project at the Nigerian Army Depot in Amasiri, saying the planned groundbreaking of the depot hospital will significantly enhance the welfare of recruits and personnel undergoing training.
Shaibu made this known on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, at the Government House in Abakaliki ahead of the passing-out parade of the 99 Regular Intake recruits at the Nigerian Army Depot, Amasiri, located within the Afikpo and Edda axis of the state.
The Army Chief described the proposed military hospital as a critical infrastructure project that would complement the newly established depot by providing quality healthcare services to recruits subjected to the rigours of military training.
“We are awaiting another signature project, which is the groundbreaking ceremony of the military hospital at the Depot in Amasiri. As young recruits undergo strenuous military training, there will naturally be medical needs that require immediate and professional attention. This hospital will go a long way in ensuring that the depot takes off meaningfully and operates efficiently,” Shaibu said.
He noted that the establishment of the Nigerian Army Depot in Amasiri, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represents a strategic investment in manpower development and reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to equitable distribution of key military institutions across the country.
According to him, the proposed hospital will strengthen medical support services, improve emergency response capabilities and contribute to maintaining the physical fitness and operational readiness of recruits and personnel undergoing training.
Shaibu also commended Governor Nwifuru for facilitating the seamless acquisition of land for the depot and for his administration’s sustained support to the Nigerian Army through the provision of logistics and other critical assistance.
He specifically acknowledged the governor’s donation of operational vehicles to the military formation and his interventions in promoting peace and resolving communal disputes across the state.
“The support of state governments remains indispensable to the Nigerian Army’s ability to effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities. Ebonyi State has demonstrated that partnership between civil authorities and the military is essential for achieving lasting peace and security,” he said.
Responding, Governor Nwifuru reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the construction of the military hospital and other infrastructure required for the full development of the depot.
The governor described the establishment of the depot as one of the most significant federal projects in Ebonyi’s history, pledging that the state government would continue to provide the enabling environment needed for the Nigerian Army to succeed in its constitutional mandate.
He added that the depot and its accompanying facilities, including the proposed military hospital, would not only improve military training and welfare but also stimulate economic growth and accelerate development in Amasiri, Edda, Afikpo and surrounding communities.
