Ebonyi State Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has described the establishment of the Nigerian Army Depot at Amasiri Edda as a strategic boost for national security, arguing it will strengthen regional stability, expand military capacity and stimulate economic development across the South East.
According to a statement from Acting Director of Army Public Relations Colonel Appolonia Anele, Nwifuru made the remarks while receiving Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu on a courtesy visit tied to the depot’s maiden Passing Out Parade for newly trained recruits, an event Shaibu called a historic milestone in the ongoing transformation of the army’s training and force generation system. Shaibu said the depot, the first of its kind in the South East, was established on the direct instruction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthen the army’s operational readiness, expand its manpower pipeline and promote national integration through a more equitable spread of military infrastructure across the country, describing it as a strategic national asset that will train disciplined, professional and combat ready soldiers capable of handling evolving security threats. He said its location in the South East reflects a deliberate federal commitment to deepening security presence in the region while building trust, inclusion and stronger relations between the military and civilian population, and called for closer collaboration with the Ebonyi State Government on intelligence sharing and protecting critical national assets, stressing that lasting peace depends on collective action across government institutions, security agencies and citizens alike.
Nwifuru, in response, praised Shaibu’s leadership and the dedication of Nigerian Army personnel in defending the country’s sovereignty and maintaining internal security, crediting the army’s presence with creating the stable environment that has allowed growth and development to take root in Ebonyi State. He called the depot’s establishment a landmark achievement for both the state and the wider South East, expressing confidence it would strengthen the army’s manpower base while also boosting local economic activity, enhancing regional security and promoting national unity, and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to maintaining a strong, cordial relationship with the army in support of its constitutional responsibilities.
