As part of the Nigerian Army (NA) efforts of sustaining cordial relationship with the civil populace and advancing humanitarian cause, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu has commissioned a newly constructed and fully equipped Emergency Paediatric Unit (EPU) at the Yobe State Specialist Hospital, Postiskum, on 20 June 2026.
A statement signed by Major Cornelius Gutus college public relations officer,army war college Nigeria said the project was executed by the Commandant Army War College Nigeria, Major General Umar Mohammed Alkali.
In his remarks the COAS, represented by the Commander Armoured Corps, Major General Umar Bichi Abubakar said the concept of the COAS Special Intervention Civil-Military Cooperation Projects was conceived to support communities of senior officers who through diligence, commitment and selfless service, have attained the rank of Major General. He added that the projects are executed in close consultation with the benefiting communities to ensure relevance and impact. He said the interventions are intended to complement the efforts of state governments and also to reinforce civil-military relations by encouraging sustained community support for NA’s operations and other national endeavours.
The Army Chief recounted that over 250 intervention projects have been executed across the country, and all have made meaningful contributions to NA non-kinetic operations in addressing security challenges. He said the EPU will enhance the quality, accessibility and timeliness of emergency healthcare services for children, thereby improving patient outcomes and reducing paediatric morbidity and mortality among the indigenes and other residents of the community for years to come. The COAS commended Major General Umar Alkali for a job well done and for the enduring love and commitment he has consistently shown towards his people.
Earlier in his welcome address, Major General Alkali expressed profound gratitude to the COAS, Lieutenant General W Shaibu, for his visionary leadership and unwavering support that made the execution of the project possible. He said children represent the future of society; their health, growth, and development are fundamental to the progress and prosperity of any nation, as such, we must all contribute our little quota in securing their future for us to have a prosperous, peaceful, and a better nation.
Receiving the EPU on behalf of Yobe State, the Executive Secretary, Yobe State Health Management Board, Dr Abubakar Yerima thanked the NA for the impactful intervention and said the project to them represent hope, compassion, and shared commitment of saving young lives. He assured NA of the optimum utilization of the facility and its maintenance to serve the coming generation of children.
The commissioned project has a main ward, resuscitation room, doctor’s call room, nurses’ station, side laboratory, pharmaceutical dispensing room, record office, and 4 toilets. The facility is equipped with modern health machines such as centrifuge machine, oxygen, diagnostic machine, blood pressure apparatus, pulse oximeter, stethoscope, kiptrack glucometer, weigh scale, strecher, wheelchair, wardscreen, examination couch, hospital beds and drip stands among others.
The commissioning featured tree planting and donation of 25 cartons of injectable and oral consumables medication and surgical items to the specialist hospital by the senior officers who attended the ceremony. The donated items were unveiled by the Moi Fika, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Dr Mohammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa, Chairman Yobe State Council of Chiefs who was represented at the ceremony by the Emir of Tikau, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammadu Ibn Grema II.
