The Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdur-Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi Odundun IV has lauded the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Faruk Yahaya over the donation of a magnificent Maternity Centre by one of his illustrious sons, Simeon Ibikunle, who is a Major General and Chief of Defense Logistics at the Defense Headquarters, Abuja.The project is located at Araromi Market, Iragbiji.
Oba Olabomi’s gratitude to the Army Chief was premised on his identification and location of a Quick Impact Project in the ancient town as part of the Army’s Community Development Project initiatives.
Delivering his speech at the Commissioning of the project in Iragbiji on Thursday, the monarch extolled the Chief of Defense Logistics, Maj. Gen Simeon Ibikunle, describing him as “illustrious Son” of the City.
Speaking further, the Aragbiji said: “Today, this Community is witnessing the inauguration of the first ever military project in Iragbiji which directly impacts on the people.
“No doubt, we are proud, happy, excited and grateful to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Faruk Yahaya, our Son, Major General Simon Ayobami Ibikunle and of course, the Nigerian Army, for the execution of this laudable project in Iragbiji.
“We now know that soldiers do not fight only wars; they also contribute to solving communities’ social problems”.
According to the traditional ruler, the donor of the project, Maj Gen Ibikunle, has, by his letter dated May 10, 2023, officially handed over the Maternity Centre to him and by extension, Iragbiji Community with effect from the said date.
Reacting to this, the monarch said “I gladly accept the huge gift given to us by our Son and Army General with the promise that we will make use of it to your satisfaction”.
Consequently, the Aragbiji established and inaugurated a Seven-member Management Committee to oversee the activities of the Centre on behalf of the Community, just as the monarch further handed over the project to the Boripe Local Government authority as well as the State Primary Health Care Development Board, urging them to make good use of the Centre.
Heavy presence of high-ranking military officers and prominent dignitaries made the commissioning an epochal event, where the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Faruk Yahaya was represented by the General Officer Commander (GOC) 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen MT Usman, who extended the pleasantries and goodwill of his boss to the Aragbiji.
Also at the occasion attended by notable indigenes of Iragbiji were the Commander of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, Maj Gen A.M Alabi, the Director Campaign Planning Defense Headquarters, Maj. Gen Olusegun Adeyemo and the Commander Central Ordnance Depot, Odogbo, Ibadan, Brig. Gen Yinusa.
Other senior officers in attendance were the Eaglet Coach 1989, Coach Fanny Amun, the Representative of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Moses Onilede and the members of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association, 38 Regular Course led by the Wife of the Donor, Mrs. Olukemi Ibikunle. The Maternity Center was immediately opened for patients.
