The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, NAM, on Thursday, 4 June 2026, commissioned a newly constructed Primary Health Care Centre at Ikot Andem Itam, Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, and eulogized the Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering (NASME), Major General Idongesit Essien Ekpenyong. The COAS Special Intervention Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Project Scheme was conceived to support communities of senior officers who attain the rank of Major General through diligence and selfless service. Projects under the scheme are planned and executed in close consultation with benefiting communities to ensure relevance and are meant to complement state government efforts by providing quality basic amenities.
Represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division Nigerian Army (NA), Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, COAS disclosed that over 250 intervention projects have been delivered across the six geopolitical zones, contributing to the Nigerian Army’s non-kinetic operations to address security challenges. “The Ikot Andem Itam health centre is a well-conceived, impactful initiative expected to improve access to quality healthcare, promote preventive care, and enhance the overall well-being of residents for years to come,” he said.
Lieutenant General Shaibu described the facility as a significant milestone that reflects the Nigerian Army’s commitment to effective Civil-Military cooperation and improving welfare in host communities. The Army Chief emphasized the importance of maintaining the newly commissioned facilities and the utilization to ensure it remains beneficial to the community. He also commended the Akwa Ibom State Government for its cooperation.
The COAS also praised Major General Idongesit Ekpenyong for his commitment, discipline, and dedication to duty as a “true son of the soil” with over three decades of professional and unblemished service to Nigeria. Describing the project as a testament to purposeful leadership and selfless service.
This was contained in a statement signed by Lieutenant Nkuma Mba Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations
NASME/NACEST made available to newsmen.
Speaking at the event, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Major General MA Estu-Ndagi, represented by Lieutenant Colonel Oluwawemimo Moses Bello, disclosed that NA leadership used the occasion to restate its whole-of-society approach to national security. He emphasized that public cooperation is critical to the success of military operations, which is why the NA continues to explore non-kinetic lines of operation to strengthen civil-military relations. The projects are designed for lasting benefits and community ownership, with residents expected to maintain facilities after commissioning. Citizens of Akwa Ibom were urged to keep supporting security agencies in providing timely and credible information in combating crimes in the region.
In his welcome address, the project executor, Commandant NASME Major General Idongesit Ekpenyong, expressed gratitude to God and to the COAS for finding him worthy to execute the project. He said the health centre was undertaken to address the healthcare needs of Ikot Andem Itam and adjoining communities and expressed hope it would reduce avoidable health challenges and boost socio-economic well-being. He thanked the COAS, Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, stakeholders, his wife and family for their support, and singled out Maj UD Udoh (rtd), the project supervisor, as well as officers, soldiers, and workers of NASME for their role in completing the work. The village council and village head of Ikot Andem Itam were also appreciated for guiding the community to select the health centre as its priority.
Major General Ekpenyong urged the people of Ikot Andem Itam to take ownership of the facility and maintain it for present and future generations.
The event attracted several distinguished personalities, senior serving and retired military officers, captains of industry, community leaders, and other stakeholders.
