Former Head of State, Abdussalami Abubakar unveiling the commemorative stone plaque of the renovated hall
FIRS CSR draws admiration of Nigeria’s former president, Abubakar
Former President of Nigeria, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar has described as philanthropic, the remodeling of about 800-seater capacity Ogundeko Hall of the Nigeria Military School (NMS), Zaria by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
The FIRS, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) remodelled and furnished the Hall tastefully, providing an expansive and conducive environment for large gatherings in the Nigerian military establishment, with every modern convenience such as air conditioners, overhead projector and screen, speakers and a generator.
Commissioning the project on Saturday, Gen. Abubakar said the Executive Chairman, FIRS, Tunde Fowler, has given a beautiful touch to one of the most fundamental mainstays of human development.
“Let me, on behalf of the military, my constituency, commend the FIRS for this great gesture. I commission this project. May it serve humanity and be an edifice for the on-coming generations. I commend Mr. Fowler for this philanthropic effort, Mr Chairman of FIRS and Chairman of this occasion, on behalf of the Commandant and the students of the Nigerian Military School, Zaria, I say thank you. I also
call on other Nigerian leaders to do same as Fowler has done,”he said.
Speaking on the history of the NMS which was established 65 years ago, Abubakar said the school has continued to evolve in line with the challenges it is meant to solve.
“I do not hesitate to commend all stakeholders who have contributed in no small measure to develop the Nigerian Military School,” Abubakar added.
Fowler said the FIRS took on the responsibility to remodel and furnish the Ogundeko Hall because of his desire for quality education to flourish in the country .
He noted that the sacrifices of the military to the well-being of the society cannot be overemphasized.
“We want to tell them, through this project, that we in the corporate world also care for them and appreciate their sacrifices to the society,” he added.
After commissioning the hall, the school used the hall for its 2019 Speech and Prize Giving ceremony for outstanding students and teachers of the Nigerian Military School, Zaria.
Fowler said the school has contributed greatly to societal development: “The FIRS recently intervened in the remodelling of this (Ogundeko) hall as part of the Corporate Social Responsibility of the Service. As an entity, we shall continue to identify with the NMS from time to time.
“The Nigerian Military School is an extra-ordinary secondary school that combines both military and academic training for young Nigerians that desire to pursue a career in the Armed Forces. Since the establishment of the prestigious training institution in 1954, courageous men have been nurtured to
lead the battlefront in different aspects. The Nigerian nation felt the positive impact of renowned discipline of the NMS through late General Tunde Idiagbon who was an ex-boy of the Nigerian Military School. There are other ex-boys that have been contributing immensely to the development of this great country.
“Today, products of this school are national asset and they are doing extremely well in our Armed Forces. It is in this light that I wish to reaffirm that the NMS is certainly fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of the founding fathers,” Fowler noted.
The FIRS Chairman also promised to be an ambassador of the school who would always be concerned about the welfare of the institution.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai who was represented by the Chief of Defence Logistics, General A.O. Shodunke also commended the FIRS for investing in human development which he said is the greatest investment.
Commandant of the Nigerian Military School, Brig- General M. M. Bunza said he was excited to have had the honour of hosting former President Abdusalami Abubakar, Buratai, Fowler and other dignitaries who graced the occasion.
He thanked Fowler and FIRS for the donation of the remodelled block saying the gesture is a moral booster.
“I would like to thank the FIRS and the Executive Chairman of FIRS for single-handedly bankrolling the renovation and furnishing of the Ogundeko Hall. This hall just a few months ago, was an eyesore. But you can see that it is now a standard facility. There are few universities in the country that have this type of hall,” he said.