5000 Rivers Residents Benefit From Nigerian Navy’s Free Medicare
No fewer than 5000 residents of Obumoton-Chiri, Bie-Ama Community in Borikiri axis of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State have benefitted from a free medical outreach carried out by the Nigerian Navy Eastern Command.
The free medicare is part of the Navy’s medical and educational rhapsody and also part of activities marking the 69th Anniversary of the Nigerian Navy.
The event which held at the Community’s town hall in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area also featured the presentation of educational materials to children of the community.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Saheed Adeshina Akinwande, disclosed that the gesture is inline with the Navy’s Corporate Social Responsibility to her host communities.
Rear Admiral Akinwande who was represented by Captain Ugochukwu Elendu, also said the gesture is aimed at improving civil-military relationship and sustaining partnership with their communities.
“The Nigerian Navy has a tradition of regularly reaching out to host communities as part of measures towards enhanced Civil-Military-Cooperation.
“The NN commitment to her Corporate Social Responsibilities is a key priority in the vision of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla which aims at sustaining partnership and catering for the welfare of the NN host communities,” he said.
He disclosed that the navy has outlined several activities to mark it’s 69th Anniversary, adding that the choice of Obumoton-Chiri Community for the rhapsody was because of her peaceful co-existence and relevance to national development.
Akinwande said the rhapsody underscores the navy’s commitment to quality health care and educational services offered in safe and secured environment.
“This outreach is therefore organised as part of the celebrations and also to serve NN’s CSR objective. The Obumoton-Chiri community was chosen for this year’s Rhapsody because of her social and economic relevance to national development as well as her peaceful co-existence with the Nigerian Navy. The outreach is meant to provide free primary health care services and some selected secondary health care services to the wonderful people of this community and beyond,” he added.
Akinwande urged the community to take full advantage of the opportunity of the exercise, expressing hope that the medical and educational rhapsody would further strengthen the long-standing cordial relationship between the Nigerian Navy and the community.
Paramount Ruler of Bie-Ama Community, HRM, Garrick Achiesomie expressed delight at the gesture by the Navy, expressing the hope that it would further strengthen the relationship between them and the community.
The monarch called on residents of the community to take advantage of the services to improve their health.
“I will like to extend my deepest appreciation to the Navy for their commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of the Bie-Ama Community. Their service exemplifies the spirit of dedication, compassion and selflessness and it is a privilege to have them here with us.
“This initiative is not just about treating ailments, it is about empowering our community through health education, preventive care and ensuring that every individual have access to the healing resources they need.
“I encourage each of you to take full advantage of this services and foster a culture of health awareness amongst your families and friends,” the monarch stated.
Achiesomie further urged the community to remain vigilante and collaborate with each other in addressing safety concerns, support the Nigerian Navy to ensure safety of residents in the area.
On his part, the Community Women Secretary, Rachael Wosley, stated that the community had longed for such an opportunity where women and children can benefit from healthcare and educational items and further commended the Navy for the gesture saying.
“Things like this don’t normally happen these days in our society, where they come to empower our children, youths, mothers and the elderly, its so amazing, we are so grateful,” she said.
