On Saturday 3 December 2022, the Nigerian Naval College and Nigerian Navy Medical Centre Onne held a medical outreach for residents of at Ikpokiri community in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers state.
No fewer than 300 adults and children benefitted from the activity that featured free consultations, blood pressure check, blood sugar screening, eye test, among others.
Speaking at the venue of the outreach, the Commandant of the College, Commodore Pakiribo Anabraba, said the Nigerian Navy has the tradition of fostering good neighbourliness with host communities, because the service recognises that to have a crime-free maritime environment the Nigerian Navy must positively impact the host communities of her units and establishments.
He added that the exercise was also part of efforts to enhance Civil-Military cooperation in checking criminality in their host communities in line with the Chief of Naval Staff Strategic Directive.
“This Medical Rhapsody is one of the series of Civil-Military Relation Activities packaged by the College to foster and consolidate the already existing cordial relationship between the College and its neighbouring communities. The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral AZ Gambo has provided all the resources to carry out this mandate in line with his Strategic Directive”.
Navy Captain Aliyu Oyeneyin, Commander Nigerian Navy Medical Centre,Onne, said that residents would have opportunity to check their blood pressure, eye and teeth while children would be de-wormed.
” The medical outreach is to build trust. Today, it is taking place at Ikpokiri community. As you are aware, the Nigerian Navy institution is located in Onne area and to buid that trust and Civil-Military relations, it is important we give back to the society” he added.
A beneficiary, Mrs Mabel Prince who received screening and treatment for ulcer and High B.P, hailed the Navy for providing such opportunity to the less privileged, the aged and children in the community.
While Chief Livingstone Worika, a member of Council of Chiefs in Ikpokiri, thanked the Chief of the Naval Staff for the gesture.
