By Sumaila Ogbaje
Abuja, Dec. 20, 2025 – In a significant demonstration of civil-military solidarity, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has publicly pledged the state government’s continued and robust support for the Nigerian Army. This commitment underscores a shared mission to safeguard lives and property across the state and the nation.
The pledge was made during a high-level courtesy visit by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, to the Governor’s office in Osogbo. According to a statement released by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the visit was strategically timed ahead of a landmark event: the historic Passing Out Parade of the first cohort of recruits trained at the newly established Nigerian Army Depot within Osun State.
Governor Adeleke hailed the establishment of the training depot as a transformative “landmark achievement” for Osun. He extended gratitude to both the Nigerian Army hierarchy and President Bola Tinubu for siting the critical infrastructure in the state.
“The depot’s presence has done more than just build a facility; it has increased military visibility and, most importantly, boosted the security confidence of our people,” Adeleke stated. He elaborated that this strategic development signifies a deeper integration of national security architecture within the state’s framework, promising enhanced responsiveness to security challenges.
The Governor gave concrete assurances, promising that the Osun State Government would “continue to provide the necessary support” to enable the Army to execute its constitutional duties with maximum effectiveness. This support is anticipated to encompass areas such as logistics, community cooperation for exercises, and welfare initiatives for personnel stationed in the state.
In his response, Lieutenant General Shaibu commended the Osun State Government for its pivotal role in facilitating the establishment of the Depot. He framed it not just as a military asset, but as a “strategic investment in national security and youth development.” This dual-purpose highlights how such projects contribute to national defense while simultaneously providing disciplined career pathways and skills acquisition for Nigerian youth, thereby addressing socio-economic factors often linked to insecurity.
The COAS affirmed the quality of the training regimen, assuring that the recruits set to graduate are “well-trained and ready to serve the nation with dedication and discipline.”
The upcoming Passing Out Parade itself marks a major milestone. It represents the tangible payoff of the army’s initiative to decentralize and expand its training infrastructure, a move aimed at increasing intake capacity and fostering regional professional development hubs. The event, featuring precision military drills, equipment displays, and ceremonial inspections, is designed to publicly showcase the Army’s operational readiness and the high standards of its training protocols.
This collaborative moment between the Osun State Government and the Nigerian Army leadership sets a powerful precedent for how sub-national entities can actively partner with the military to fortify local and national security, ultimately creating a more secure environment for citizens and economic activities.
(NAN) | www.nannews.ng
Edited by Yakubu Uba
