The Nigerian Army has offered free medical services to the people of Eika-Ohizenyi communities in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen. Farouk Yahaya, provided all the resources for the free medical treatment as part of the Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) related activities.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Okehi, the COAS said the medical outreach was carefully planned to cater for the identified common health challenges of the citizens in the communities.
This, he said would enhance the existing cordial relationship, and the support the Nigerian Army had enjoyed from the good people of Kogi State.
The COAS, who was represented by the Commander, Headquarters Command Army Records (CAR), Maj Gen. Sunday Igbinomwanhia, said the free medical outreach was in continuation of the exercise Enduring Peace II, recently launched by the Nigerian Army.
The COAS said it was very much in line with his vision of a professional Nigerian Army, ready to accomplish assigned missions within a joint environment in defence of Nigeria.
Lt Gen Yahaya explained that in pursuance of his vision, he had ensured that the Nigerian army formations and units paid adequate attention to the non-kinetic aspect of the military operations.
He added that conscious efforts had been made to cater for pregnant women and nursing mothers by making provision for the distribution of treated mosquito nets during the outreach.
He said that aside the free drugs to be dispensed, free medicated glasses would also be distributed to people with sight challenges.
He emphasised that the medical outreach was a way of reciprocating the cooperation the Nigerian Army had enjoyed from the people of Kogi State.
He stressed that Nigerian Army had enjoyed and would continue to enjoy the support and cooperation of the good citizens of Kogi in surmounting the challenges of insecurity in the state and nation in general.
He said that the civil military cooperations activities of the Nigerian Army would further endear Nigeria Armed forces to the citizens.
He, therefore appealed to the people to see the medical outreach as evidence of the cooperation between the Nigerian Army and the good people of Kogi State.
”Let it foster the desired peace, progress and prosperity in this community and the entire Kogi State,” he said.
The COAS assured that the Nigerian Army in conjunction with other sister security agencies are working assiduously to rid the country of criminal activities and all forms of insecurity.
In his capacity, the CAR Commander Command Army Records , thanked the COAS for his continuous support which had enabled the command to carry out its assigned responsibility effectively and efficiently.
He thanked the Governor for his support in making the apparatus of the Kogi State Government available for military operations.
He thanked the heads of all the sister security agencies for the seamless synergy in their efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.
He urged the people to continue to live in peace and harmony, and be tolerant of one another.
In his remarks, Governor Yahaya Bello, appreciated the COAS for the medical outreach and for ensuring adequate security in the state.
Bello, who was represented by the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara rtd, advised the people to be well informed and use the opportunity to give credible information to the security agencies so as to go after the criminal elements in the area.
The Chairman of Okehi Local Government Area, Hon. Abdulraheem Ohiare, commended the COAS for the gesture towards his people and for restoring peace to the area.
According to Ohiare, the area had been a den of criminals noting that the Eika police was burnt down twice and many people killed.
”We thank the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for restoring peace to our communities,” he said.
The highlight of the occasion was the symbolic distribution of the treated mosquito nets to pregnant women and nursing mothers by the CAR Commander on behalf of the COAS.
Some of the beneficiaries: Mrs Sabiat Abdulkadiri, Mrs Hajara Salihu and Hajia Habibat Sadiq, all commended the COAS for the free medical treatment and free drugs.
