By Evelyn Usman

In a move aimed at strengthening civil-military relations and improving access to quality education, the Nigerian Navy, on Thursday, commissioned an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre, solar power system and other educational facilities at St. Peter’s Anglican Primary School in Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos.

The intervention, executed under the Chief of the Naval Staff Special Intervention Quick Impact Project, was facilitated by a Rear Admiral of the Nigerian Navy, Olusegun Soyemi, who selected the school because of his personal connection to it, having been a pupil there decades ago.

Speaking at the commissioning, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, said the Nigerian Navy remained committed to improving the welfare of communities across the country through strategic intervention projects, declaring that its responsibilities extend beyond securing the nation’s maritime domain.

Represented by Rear Admiral Patrick Meteke, he explained that “these projects are avenues for the Nigerian Navy to honour its accomplished senior officers and an indication that beyond physically securing lives and property, we are committed to serving the interests of Nigeria in other ways.”

The CNS explained that the Special Intervention Quick Impact Project, launched in 2024, was conceived to strengthen the Navy’s civil-military cooperation mandate while supporting the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He stated that civil-military cooperation globally involves interactions between the military and civil society aimed at achieving strategic objectives, adding that the Navy was leveraging the initiative to foster stronger ties with communities.

He further explained that, “Today’s commissioning and handing-over ceremony of the Chief of the Naval Staff Special Intervention Quick Impact Project undertaken by an illustrious son of the community is yet another watershed in the Nigerian Navy’s civil-military cooperation effort.

“We appeal that, in keeping with the tenets of civil-military cooperation, the good people of this community and Lagos State at large will continue to collaborate with the Nigerian Navy, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies as we eliminate threats to our collective well-being,” he added.

In his remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Chairman of Orile-Agege LCDA, Mr. Akinola Abiodun, who was represented by the Vice Chairman, Mr. Wale Fayeni, described the intervention as a major contribution to educational development in the area and a demonstration of the benefits of collaboration between government institutions and communities.

Fayeni said ,”This project demonstrates the importance of partnership because government cannot do everything alone. We are always open to partnerships. As you can see, the project team engaged with the local government, identified the needs of the school and contributed significantly towards addressing them,” he stated.

He noted that the project aligned with the developmental agenda of the local government, adding that, “We have distributed desks, benches and writing materials to pupils across schools, and we are also carrying out infrastructure improvements in schools. Therefore, this intervention is timely and highly appreciated. It will also challenge us to do even more for our people.”

Earlier in his remarks, the project facilitator, Rear Admiral Olusegun Soyemi, said the project, which was completed within three months, involved the establishment and equipping of an ICT centre with 15 desktop computers, installation of a 4.3-kilowatt solar inverter system, provision of air conditioners, computer tables and chairs, construction of a separate toilet for teachers, renovation of pupils’ toilet facilities, and improvement of the school’s water supply through the installation of a new pump and overhead tank.

He disclosed that St. Peter’s Anglican Primary School was chosen because of its special place in his life.
According to him, “I attended this school from 1976 to 1982, thereby obtaining my First School Leaving Certificate here, and my late mother was also a teacher in this same school. Therefore, when the opportunity for this Quick Impact Project arose, I considered it a top priority for the school.

“Before commencement, we conducted a needs assessment. We engaged with the local government authorities as well as the school management and staff. One of the key areas highlighted was the ICT centre. The importance of ICT in today’s world cannot be overemphasised,” he said.

He explained that the solar-powered ICT centre was designed to ensure uninterrupted learning despite power challenges in the area, adding that the intervention would significantly improve both the learning and working environment within the school.

“We believe that these projects have improved both the learning and working environment within the school, thereby enhancing the delivery of primary education services to the community,” he stated.
The naval officer further revealed that the project extended beyond technology to address sanitation and water challenges in the school.

“We observed that members of staff and pupils were sharing the same toilet facilities. As a result, we constructed a new toilet for staff members and renovated the existing toilet facilities for the pupils. We also improved the school’s water supply system by installing a new pump and an overhead water tank,” he said.

He expressed appreciation to the Chief of the Naval Staff for approving the project and to the Orile-Agege LCDA for its support.