The Nigerian Navy (NN) has commissioned a newly constructed five-bedroom Corps Members Lodge and an upgraded dispensary at Malam Sidi Community in Kwami Local Government Area of Gombe State, as part of efforts to strengthen Civil-Military Cooperation and support community development.
The projects were commissioned on Saturday, 12 September 2026, under the Chief of the Naval Staff Special Intervention Quick Impact Project Scheme (CNS-SIQIP), following the identification of critical needs in the community by the project facilitator, Rear Admiral Suleiman Haruna Abdullahi.
The commissioning ceremony was witnessed by the Special Guest of Honour, Gombe State Governor, His Excellency Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Manasseh Daniel Jatau.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Jatau commended the Nigerian Navy and Rear Admiral Abdullahi for the intervention, describing the projects as complementary to the state government’s efforts to improve healthcare delivery, security and living conditions across Gombe State.
He particularly appreciated the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (AM), for supporting the projects and noted that similar Nigerian Navy interventions had been executed in other communities across the state.
The Deputy Governor described the Corps Members Lodge as a strategic facility that would provide suitable accommodation for National Youth Service Corps members deployed to the community.
Representing the Chief of the Naval Staff, the Director of Project Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation, Rear Admiral Mohammed Yakubu Dahiru, said the Nigerian Navy remained committed to initiatives that promote stronger relations between the Armed Forces and the civil populace.
He explained that the CNS-SIQIP was established to address critical community needs while strengthening cooperation between the Nigerian Navy, government and host communities.
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Rear Admiral Dahiru commended Rear Admiral Abdullahi for identifying the needs of the community and facilitating projects with enduring benefits, while appreciating the Gombe State Government and other stakeholders for their support.
He assured that the Nigerian Navy would continue to support initiatives that promote national development and enhance Civil-Military Cooperation.
Earlier, Rear Admiral Abdullahi expressed appreciation to the Chief of the Naval Staff for the opportunity to facilitate the projects.
He stated that the Corps Members Lodge was designed to provide decent accommodation for NYSC members serving in the area, while the upgraded dispensary was aimed at improving access to basic healthcare services for residents.
According to him, the dispensary was originally an Area Health Office inherited from the colonial era before undergoing renovation and upgrading.
Rear Admiral Abdullahi urged the community to take ownership of the facilities and ensure their proper maintenance for the benefit of present and future generations.
The Chairman of Kwami Local Government Area, Alhaji Ibrahim Buba Makama; Senior District Head of Kwami, Alhaji Aminu Haruna Abdullahi; and representatives of the Malam Sidi Progressive Association commended the Nigerian Navy for the intervention and appealed for additional developmental projects in the area.
The commissioning featured the presentation of souvenirs to the Governor and other prominent members of the community in recognition of their contributions to the development of the area.
The Deputy Governor also inspected the completed facilities and participated in a symbolic tree-planting exercise.
The event was attended by the Secretary to the Gombe State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi; Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abubakar Inuwa Kyari; commissioners, special advisers, heads of security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders and other government officials.
As part of the engagement, the Nigerian Navy delegation subsequently paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Gombe, His Royal Highness Dr Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, CFR.
The Emir commended the Nigerian Navy for its intervention in Malam Sidi and reaffirmed the support of the traditional institution and the community for sustained Civil-Military Cooperation.
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