Former Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency Barr. (Chief) Eric Kelechi Igwe, PhD, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the establishment of a Nigerian Army Training Centre in Abakaliki, describing the decision as a landmark step toward strengthening national security and promoting regional inclusion.
Igwe, who is also a Board Member of the Nigerian Ports Authority and Ebonyi State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, said the approval reflects the President’s commitment to equitable development and the decentralisation of critical national defence infrastructure across the country.
According to him, the new training centre, which will complement existing military depots in Kaduna and Osogbo, will enhance the operational readiness of the Nigerian Army while addressing emerging security challenges through modern training techniques and advanced military technologies.
He noted that the facility is expected to train thousands of recruits and would have far-reaching economic benefits for Ebonyi State, including job creation, infrastructure development, and improved socio-economic activities in the host communities.
The former deputy governor described the project as a historic milestone for the Southeast, a region he said has long advocated greater inclusion in national defence initiatives, adding that the centre would also contribute to peace and stability in the area.
Igwe called on media organisations, Southeast stakeholders, and residents to support and amplify the initiative to ensure its successful implementation, stressing that the project would strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and foster unity across the federation.
He thanked President Tinubu for what he described as a bold and visionary decision aimed at building a safer, stronger, and more united Nigeria.