Succor for Injured Officers, Soldiers

Succor for Injured Officers,  Soldiers

To mark the recent Eid El Kabir celebration, the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army visited injured and sick officers, as well as soldiers at the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Yaba, Lagos. Chiemelie Ezeobi reports that for the officers and soldiers who were injured in the course of service to the nation, it was a balm to their souls and a boost to their morale

For injured and sick officers and soldiers at the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Yaba (NARHY), Lagos, the visit of the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Lawrence Fejokwu along with commanders and Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) of the division was a balm to their souls and a boost to their morale.

The officers and soldiers were either injured or fell sick in their respective units during the course of their service to the nation. Away from their families and within the grounds of the hospital, the visit assured them that they were truly not forgotten by the army.

This was achieved by a special luncheon organised by the GOC to honour the sick officers and soldiers to mark the 2021 Eid -el-Kabir Celebration.

The GOC, while conveying the goodwill message of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, to the officers and soldiers noted that the COAS has provided logistics within available resources to eat and dine with the personnel of the division who got injured or fell sick in the spirit of Sallah celebration to boost their morale.

Major General Fejokwu assured the injured officers and soldiers that the Army authority is doing everything to facilitate their treatment to ensure that they get back to their feet as soon as possible. He further commended the sacrifices of the personnel in the ongoing operations across the country, adding that their sacrifices will not be in vain.

The GOC was later conducted round the various wards to see those on admission and to ascertain the progress of their recuperation.

In an interview afterwards, the Chief Medical Director, 68 NARHY Colonel SO Solomon, said it was a special day as it showed the army has the patients at heart.

On the process of rehabilitation, he said: “Sometimes, patients are brought in given that it’s a tertiary hospital as injuries that cannot be treated at the primary level are brought in here. Those who have injuries within and outside the country are brought here if it’s something that can be handled here.

“If there is need for a specialist, we invite them here. Also, there is an insurance policy where they can actually be taken abroad for treatment if need be. We also have physiotherapists to treat them.”

For those that have lost limbs and arms, he said arrangements are being made, adding that “the GOC just approved prothesis for one of the soldiers that has a lower limb amputation”.

The representative of the sick officers and soldiers, Major Bitrus Daniel, while delivering the vote of thanks, expressed gratitude to the Army authority, particularly the GOC for finding time to celebrate with them despite his busy schedules, adding that the day was indeed a memorable one for them all.

The GOC was accompanied by the Commander 81 Division Ordnance Services, Brigadier General U Aja; Commander, 81 Div Provost, Colonel AC Chukwuma; Commander, 81 Division Military Intelligence Brigade, Colonel AA Babatunde; and the Deputy Chief of Staff Administration, Headquarters 81 Division, Colonel C Ogbuabo.

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He assured the injured officers and soldiers that the Army authority is doing everything to facilitate their treatment to ensure that they get back to their feet as soon as possible. He further commended the sacrifices of the personnel in the ongoing operations across the country, adding that their sacrifices will not be in vain

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GOC 81 Division, Major General Lawrence Fejokwu talking with the injured and sick officers and soldiers, while the Chief Medical Director, 68 NARHY, Colonel SO Solomon and other senior officers look on

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