By Ngozi Nwankwo
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 in Minna Military Cantonment, Minna, Niger State.
Maj Gen Aligbe presented some of the materials at the closing ceremony of the TRADOC Library Study Day Period 2024 on Tuesday, 17 September 2024 in Minna.
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, stated that the gesture was introduced to subsidise the educational expenses of personnel in Minna Military Cantonment and the contiguous communities who have children in the schools.
He disclosed 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 mentioned 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 added that the initiative was also 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 veritable platform to get new ideas and information.
He therefore urged them 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.
Maj Gen Aligbe said that the forum came at a time when all efforts were geared towards training, research, and innovation while leveraging modern technology.
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.
He said the theme was carefully chosen to address the pressing need for improved library engagement among Army personnel.
Earlier in his welcome address, 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 urged participants to engage openly during the discussions, aiming to develop strategies that would enhance the library’s effectiveness and accessibility.
The Director ATSC 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 was 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.