COMMANDER TRADOC NIGERIAN ARMY LAUNCHES EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS. FOR SCHOOLS IN MINNA

By Gambo Abubakar Kaduna

 The  Commander Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA),  Major General Kevin Aligbe, has launched the Second series of the TRADOC  Educational Support Programme by presenting school materials to the  Schools at Minna Military Cantonment,  Minna,  Niger State.

 The launching and presentation of the materials contained in a statement signed and distributed to news men's, by the acting deputy Director Army Public relations, training and doctrime command Nigeria Army, at the closing ceremony of the TRADOC Library Students Day Period 2024. 

The event was organised by the  Directorate of Army Training Support Centre (ATSC) in TRADOC NA with the theme, “Enhancing Research Potentials and Reading Culture of the NA Personnel through Effective Use of Library”.

The Commander TRADOC, who doubled as the Special Guest of Honour at the event, however said that, the gesture  introduced to subsidise the educational  expenses of  personnel in Minna Military Cantonment and the contiguous communities who have children in the schools. 

He revealed that, a total of 31,000 Note Books and over 19,000 writing materials made up of biros, pencils, rulers and erasers were produced and presented to the pupils and students  of all the schools for the 2024/2025 Academic Session. 

   Maj Gen Aligbe also noted that, over 80 per cent of the 7,200 children and  beneficiaries were  students and pupils who are children of civilians rom outside the cantonment.

He further noted that, the initiative is one of the Civil-Military Cooperation efforts of his command in support of the over all NA’s effort towards shaping and winning the hearts and minds of communities where the NA operates.

 'During the 2024   Study Period,  Maj Gen Aligbe told the participants that  library is a veritablel platform to get new ideas and information".  

 He however, urged the students to use the library facilities provided by the Nigerian Army (NA) to boost their intellectual and research potentials and use it as a platform for engaging with contemporary issues related to library resources.

 The Commander, also expressed that, the forum came at a time when all efforts were geared towards training, research, and innovation while leveraging modern technology. 

Maj Gen Aligbe  thanked the Resource Persons  of the Library Day Study Period  for  coming to share their  knowledge and experience  on the use and management of Library Resources.  

  'The theme was carefully chosen to address the pressing need for improved library engagement among Army personnel."

Earlier in his welcomed addressed, the Director ATSC, Brigadier General Victor Ita, noted that despite the essential functions of libraries, they face challenges such as low patronage and a lack of modern reading materials. 

He however appealed to the participants to engage openly during the discussions, aiming to develop strategies that would enhance the library’s effectiveness and accessibility.

The Director ATSC further expressed gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, and the Commander TRADOC NA for their support in organizing the event. 

 "As the event unfolded, participants were encouraged to brainstorm and share insights on improving library usage, with the hope of positioning TRADOC NA Library as a premier repository for research and reference materials."

The event is in attended by Departmental Chiefs , Directors, Chief of Staff, officers of TRADOC NA , officers of  31 Artillery Brigade Minna and  313 Artillery Regiment Minna ,  Management  Teams and Staff  of the Schools in Minna Military Cantonment amongst  others.