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Emma Sunday
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER on Tuesday distributed free medicines, insecticide-treated nets, and other essential medical supplies to over 2000 residents of Abonnema Town in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State as part of its Medical Rhapsody.
Rear Admiral Cajethan Aniaku, Commander Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) PATHFINDER, while addressing crowd of beneficiaries during a free medical outreach launched as part of the Navy’s End-of-Year 2025 activities on Tuesday at the Primary Health Care Centre, Abonema Town said the gesture was also part its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Aniaku highlighted the scope of the outreach, disclosing that it features health talks on hypertension, blood pressure checks, and screening for diabetes mellitus, HIV, and Hepatitis B and C.
According to him, the outreach also provided rapid malaria testing, mass deworming, administration of Vitamin A, distribution of insecticide-treated bed nets, free medical consultations, and the provision of medications, among other services.
Rear Admiral Aniaku who was represented at the event by NNS Pathfinder’s Base Operations Officer, Commander Babatunde Adebayo, noted that the initiative was aimed at strengthening civil-military relations in the Nigerian Navy’s host community.
He noted that Abonnema Town was carefully chosen for the medical outreach, emphasizing that health is a cornerstone for both personal and community development.
He stressed that the intervention underscored the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to corporate social responsibility, noting that giving back to society remains central to its purpose. He adding that “the initiative aligns with the vision, mission, and command philosophy of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Admiralty Medal).”
Aniaku emphasised that, “The Medical Rhapsody forms part of the Navy’s broader mandate, which goes beyond safeguarding the nation’s waters and assets to include promoting health, safety, and development in riverine and coastal communities such as Abonnema.
“The aim of the Medical Rhapsody is to enhance civil military relations between the NN and Abonnema community, the host to our Naval Outpost.
“It is pertinent to state that NNS PATHFINDER carefully selected this community to carry out this Medical Rhapsody. As you all know, health is wealth and no community develops without good health. More so, health remains a powerful tool for personal and community growth.”
He noted that the Nigerian Navy remains a key stakeholder in nation-building and, through interventions like this, continues to strengthen its bond with surrounding communities.
Rear Admiral Aniaku expressed confidence that these services would significantly address the healthcare needs of the community.
In his remark, the Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, Aboiya-a Bob-Fubara, represented by the LGA’s Social Mobilisation Officer, Mrs. Otelemate Amadi-Ebenezer, thanked the Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship Pathfinder and his team for the timely medical intervention in the LGA.
Meanwhile one of the beneficiaries identified as Simeon Sokari, has expressed immense gratitude to the Navy for the free medical care.
He said, “I am highly excited for this gesture from the Nigerian Navy. They conducted various types of tests on the crowd that are here, we were all given drugs, mosquito nets, all free of charge.
“So many people want medical care but there is no money. Since I retired from the civil service in 2015, I have not been paid my gratuity, and I have been finding it difficult to treat myself, but today we have been treated free of charge. I am really relieved.”
Another beneficiary, Hon. Sylverline Ekine, who was also full of gratitude to the Nigerian Navy said most of the beneficiaries on their own could not afford the medications their freely received.
She said, “We appreciate the Nigerian Navy for this Free medical outreach. We have been having this kind of programme in Akuku Toru LGA but it has never been like this.
“We are suffering from mosquitoes here, they gave us mosquito nets, anti Malaria drugs, and more. So many people here can’t afford this type of medical service, those that have the finance will now save their money and use it to feed.”
