The Nigerian Army has embarked on free Medical and Educational outreach for vulnerable citizens in communities in Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The medical outreach was flagged off on Monday by the Commander, 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brig. -Gen. Harunah Dasuki, at College of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Okene.
The Army also distributed free educational materials such as notebooks, pens, pencils, rulers, sharpeners, erasers and other stationeries to the students of the college.
The Commander said the medical and educational outreaches were part of activities under the ongoing “Exercise (EX) Still Waters III” to reaching out to the less previlege citizens in the society.
He noted that the Exercise was flagged off on October 30 by the Nigeria Army, to ensure that Yuletide period is secured for members of the community where they operate.
He stressed that the medical and educational outreaches by the Nigerian Army, were part of its Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) meant to reach out to their host communities.
Brig. -Gen. Dasuki commended the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. -Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, for making all the needed resources and logistics available to the command to carry out the programmes in the state.
The Commander assured that the Nigeria Army would continue to intensify efforts to ensure a secured environment for the people, as well as economic activities to thrive.
He appealed to the communities to provide adequate and timely information to enable them keep the areas safe.
The Chairman of Okene Local Government Area, Alh. Abdulrazaq Muhammad, who was represented by his Secretary, Mr. Yusuf Suleiman, appreciated the Army for the choice of Okene to reach out to their people.
Muhammed stressed that the gesture would go a long way to improve the health of their people as well as the academic status of the students.
Some beneficiaries, Mrs Jemilat Nuhu, Sabdat Nasiru and Sefiat Salihu, all appreciated the Army for addressing their health issues and giving them free drugs.
“We thanked the Nigerian Army for coming to our aid in communities. I was giving malaria and typhoid drugs after the medical test”, Nuhu said.
“Mosquito will no longer bite me and my baby because the Army has given us treated mosquito net,” Salihu, a Nursing mother said.
The services rendered included: blood pressure, diabetes, malaria, typhoid, general consultations and administering oral polio vaccine for children, among others.
The Head Boy and Girl of the college, Muhammed Abdulaziz and Aisha Suleiman respectively, appreciated the Army for the gesture, assuring that they would use the materials appropriately.
Earlier, the Commander visited Margaret Garba Ohiani Orphanage Home, in Zango, Lokoja, where he donated food items and cash to the less privilege children.
Mrs Regina Ejembi, who received the items on behalf of the orphanage home, appreciated the Chief of Army Staff, for the gesture, saying it would go along way to taking care of the children at the orphanage home.
“We really appreciate you and we pray that God Almighty will continue to bless you and the Nigerian Army in Jesus name,” Ejembi said
Items donated were: rice, detergents, sugar, noodles, spaghetti, maggi, among others, as well as cash donation.
