Sylvester Idowu in Warri
The inhabitants of Jakpa in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State have lauded the Nigerian Navy Ship Delta (NNS Delta) Warri for organizing a two-day medical rhapsody in the community.
They particularly lauded the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, for reaching out to the community as part of the Navy’s end of year activities.
THISDAY observed that over 1,000 members of the community benefitted from the medical rhapsody.
The medical rhapsody featured health talks, free medical consultation, free drugs and free blood test, as well as free eye test, distribution of free eyeglasses and insecticide treated mosquito nets.
Speaking to newsmen during the exercise, a community leader in the area, High Chief Armstrong Omoko, expressed appreciation to the Navy for considering Jakpa as the beneficiary of its programme.
He said the community has enjoyed very cordial relationship with the Nigerian Navy, adding that: “We want to use this opportunity to thank the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, for bringing the medical rhapsody to our community.”
The Supervisory Counsellor on Health, Hon. Peter Odiobara, who represented the Chairman of Uvwie Local Government, Hon. Ramson Onayake, commended the NNS Delta for taking its medical outreach to the community.
He thanked the CNS for the sustainable peace being witnessed in Delta State and Niger Delta region as a whole.
The Commander, NNS Delta, Commodore Chindo Yahaya, said the medical rhapsody was in line with the CNS’ mission to strengthen the Navy-civil relationship.
Commodore Yahaya, who was represented by the Executive Officer of NNS Delta, Navy Captain Solomon Paul, said: “In line with the Chief of Naval Staff mission and vision, as well as his strategic directive, we gathered here for the Nigerian Navy medical rhapsody which is one of the events marking the end of the year activities in the Warri area, as part of Nigerian Navy civil-military relations.
“Over the years, the Nigerian Navy has embarked on medical rhapsody in several places within Warri and this year, the CNS, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, through the Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, approved the conduct of the medical rhapsody in Jakpa community.
“The choice of the free medical activities in Jakpa community is purely humanitarian. It is expected that this gesture would bring a bond between this community and the Nigerian Navy.
“The NN is known for its leading role in protection of Nigerian maritime environment, joint operations with other sister services. Apart from this statutory role, the Nigerian Navy takes its Corporate and Social Responsibility seriously which is why we are here, to let the community know that the Nigerian Navy is your friend and a navy of the Nigerian populace.”
As part of events marking its end of year activities, the NNS Delta also visited Little Saints Orphanage located at Bonkery road, Effurum where several items were donated for the upkeep of orphans, the abused and abandoned children.
Receiving the items, the administrator of the home, Hephzibah Ozegbe, expressed appreciation for the kind gesture of the Navy by remembering the less privileged in their end of year programme.
