The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, has inaugurated the rural electrification project in Shaku community in Lavun Local Government Area of Niger state.
The project was executed under the CNS Special Intervention Quick Impact Project Scheme in honour of Rear Adm. Zakariyyah Shaku Muhammad, Chief of Communication and Information Technology, Nigerian Navy.
Ogalla, represented by Rear Adm. Mike Oamen, Chief of Naval Tranformation, said the project was to promote civil/navy corporation and foster harmonious relations with the community.
“The projects are targeted at serving Rear Admirals, where we have identified critical quick impact projects that will have maximum impact on the social and economic life of the people.
“This is non-kinetic line operations for Nigerian Navy to foster relationships with our host communities where we operate and win their hearts and minds.
“Through this, we can get requisite support from communities in terms of intelligence and other information.
“We hope it will bring development to the community and environs,” he said.
Earlier, Muhammad, expressed happiness over the project, saying that the electrification of Shaku community was a desire of his late father, Alhaji Muhammad Shaku, 30 years back.
“I thank the CNS for bringing the vision to fruition. The project will open up the community to positive possibilities. Youths will go into enterprise to keep them busy,” he said.
Muhammad added that the project would unlock opportunities for enhanced education and digital literacy as well as economic activities such as vocational and entrepreneurial jobs.
He said the project would also boost security and safety in Shaku community and environs and called on the people to continue to work together in fostering a culture of maintenance and responsible energy usage.
In his remarks, Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger, appreciated the CNS for the intervention, adding that the electricity project would boost economic activities in the area.
Bago, represented by retired Brig.- Gen. Mohammed Abdullahi, Commissioner for Homeland Security, appealed to members of the community to ensure maintenance of the project.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was attended by Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Bobbo, Commander, 313 Artillery Brigade, Minna; senior officer of the Nigerian Navy and representative of the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar.