Nigeria Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai has disclosed that the Nigerian Army Institute of Technology and Environmental Studies (NAITES), Biu; now accredited into a full university will bring out a unique and specialized solution centre” for the nation and its military in the country.
Buratai disclosed this on Monday, while receiving the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of the Nigerian Army University site from Governor Shettima of Borno state at Government House, Maiduguri.
According to him, the establishment of the army university was poised on the challenges of the country’s security and a bid to getting solutions for them.
He added that those solutions will not be solution would not be restricted in the military strategy for tactics and operational activities, but in science and technology as well.
“Your Excellency, we are really grateful for this timely offer for this very large land (50 square kilometres) for the Nigerian Army University. Our joy knows no bound for this singular act of yours and indeed the Governor of Borno state,” said Buratai.
He disclosed that one of the requirements of the varsity; was to acquire at least a 50 km by 10 km of land for the takeoff the varsity in September of October this year which Borno is generous to provide.
He added: “We have taken steps already to actualize this varsity project. We have already gotten the military allocation for this year’s national budget; which is one of the requirements of establishing the university”.
Speaking on the on military challenges, he said: “We have a lot of requirements in order to keep pace with the global trends. The military and the world over always get the best from such institutions; where they would be able to find solutions to specific challenges”.
Buratai also disclosed that the institution is not only a military university, but open to the general public, adding that “the institution will be open to the various researchers to carryout relevant researches to find solutions to the needs of the nation and humanity.
“This proposed army varsity, sited in Biu town of Borno state, is equally a solution centre to national development and requirements; where solutions from different fields of human endeavor are brought for considerations,” he said.
In his address, Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima said that the proposed Nigerian Army University in Biu, will boost the state’s local economy with the involvement of communities create jobs for the unemployed youths in the education and construction sectors.
According to him, education at all levels; is the main driver of any developing society, confronted with many challenges of moving the nation forward.
“The establishment and take off of this brand new military university in Borno and the North-East sub-region affected by Boko Haram insurgency, will serve as multiplier effects on our local economy that depend on state government,” said Shettima at the presentation of C of O.
He added that the varsity could also serve as a reference point to western education in Borno and the Northeast.
He assured that the state government will fully support the army, towards the actualization of the dreams of the new military varsity, including an increase in the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of Borno.
The Vanguard
