From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
The Nigerian Army has vowed to protect the Nigerian citizens from militancy, sabotage and other criminal activities in line with the nation’s constitution.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army/Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation Delta Safe, Major General J. H Abdussalam, on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General T. A. Lagbaja, gave the assurance, at Comprehensive Secondary School, Alesa-Eleme, Eleme Local Government Area, Rivers State, during free medical outreach by the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt.
The GOC, who spoke through the Garrison Commander, Brigadier General Eddie Effiong, said the military’s determination on the safety of all citizens, was to create a peaceful atmosphere for socio-economic activities to thrive, grow and prosper.
He said: “We will continue to foster civil-military cooperation with host communities, just as we are now doing here today, in order to continue to extend the already existing hands of friendship across.
“The ability of the Army to protect its citizens, largely depends on the assistance rendered to the Army, by way of providing actionable information on bad elements residing among you. You the grassroots; hence, you see more than we see and hear more than we hear.”
He implored them “to say something, when you see something, for when you do so, we use it to work, rid them of the bad elements in the society, for you to go about your lawful businesses.
“This free medical outreach was conceived out of the need to serve humanity and also out of the many activities carried out by the Nigerian Army across our various formations and units, as part of our ‘civil-military’ operation.
“As I speak, similar activities are ongoing across Nigerian Army formations and units all over the country, to mark the Nigerian Army day celebration 2024.”
“In overcoming these security challenges, there is need for a community in a whole of society approach; hence, Nigerian Army in identifying with her host community, is conducting this free medical outreach to further cement our communal synergy.”
In his contribution, the Commander, 6 Division Hospital Services, Colonel Francis Odiase, said they were in Alesa Eleme, as directed, to offer free medical services to community.
Odiase said: “We have come, and will be here for some hours, to attend to those who will willingly offer themselves, for our free medical services.”
The Colonel disclosed that they had materials and services for those with eye problems – whether long or short sight, those who would require further treatments, laboratory for blood tests, for blood pressure, as well as counselling section.
The medical Commander affirmed their target patients cut across all ages, and encouraged the people to turn out in their numbers, for they had numerous drugs for various ailments, reaffirming that all services and drugs were free of charge.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Paramount Ruler of Alesa Eleme, Oneh-eh Alesa X, HRH King Emperor J. D. Nkpe, commended the Nigerian Army for their kind gesture, affirming long existing cordial relationship between his community and the Nigerian Army.
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The Oneh-eh Alesa urged his people to continue to see the Army not as enemies, but as friends, and brothers with water and blood in their system like themselves.
“These are the young men who have volunteered and vowed to save the nation from evasion of local or foreign enemies. Many of them have better home, which they have abandoned, to serve and save us, warning that nobody should ever ki the soldiers anymore.
“Do not stop your children from joining the Military anymore; there, you will find the best of every career, name them- best engineers, medical doctors. The Nigerian Army of today, has the best universities in Africa.’
The monarch enjoined his subjects to take best advantage of the free medical outreach, expressing his gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lt. General T. A. Lagbaja, who made it possible.
The theme of this year’s event is ‘Transforming the Nigerian Army, Impressive for Combating Contemporary Security Challenges, within a Joint Environment.’
