Nigerian Army Establishes University in Borno

Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri
The Nigerian Army has established a university in Biu, Borno State, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, disclosed yesterday.

According to the COAS, the Nigerian Army Institute of Technology and Environmental Studies in Biu have been upgraded to Nigerian Army University of Technology and Environmental Studies.

The COAS made this disclosure at the opening ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff First Quarter Conference 2017 held at the newly inaugurated Multipurpose Hall of the Command Guest House Maiduguri.
He said: “The university was conceived as a unique university that would be different from conventional universities in Nigeria.”

He added that: “The concept is to make a solution provider and a centre of excellence for variety of technologically related ventures such as generation and armament production.
“In pursuant of this laudable initiative, the Borno State government has allocated 5000 hectares of land located in Biu for this purpose.”

On the Chief of Army Staff First Quarter Conference 2017, Buratai said it was unique as it precedes the consolidation of defeat of the Boko Haram insurgents with the successful conduct of the Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship (NASAC) 2017 at the Sambisa Forest, as well as providing stable atmosphere for socio-economic activities in Borno State.

He promised that: “Nigerian Army under my leadership would continue to ensure improved Infrastructural development and increase in equipment holding through effective maintenance culture.”
He promised that the military would do everything possible to protect children and support UNICEF and other NGOs to provide humanitarian service to children and victims of insurgency wherever they are.

He said: “I have directed the establishment of Nigerian Army Information Call Centre to enable the Nigerian public to reach the Nigerian Army through dedicated telephone lines issues of security and other emergencies. I therefore, enjoin all commanders to educate troops under their commands and to work towards the realisation of professional and responsive army.”

While inaugurating the Command Guest House, the COAS said the Nigerian Army in spite of the budgetary constraints has embarked on the construction of Guest House in Bauchi and Maiduguri, as an efforts to cushion some of the budgetary  constraints and promote self sustenance.

Declaring opened the conference, the Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima commended the army for establishing Army University of Technology and Environmental Studies in Biu, Command Girls Secondary School in Miringa and Command Boys Secondary School in Auno, all in the state.

While appreciating the role of army in restoring peace in the state, Shettima who was represented by his deputy, Alhaji Usman Durkwa, said the state government would continue to support and partner the military in their efforts to bring total peace in Borno.
In his remarks, the UNICEF Country Representative, Muhammad Malik Fal, commended the Nigerian Army for providing protection and security for UN agencies and others NGOs providing humanitarian services in the North-east.